Hilda Owen murder trial: Accused Peter Smith insists victim was with him when he filled out will

A MAN accused of murdering Hilda Owen insisted at his trial she had been with him when he filled out her will and signed it.

Peter Smith, 48, is alleged to have murdered her in a bid to claim money from her will to solve his financial troubles.

Her body was found on the floor in the living room of her home in West Hill, Skegby, on March 1, 2007.

The 71-year-old’s injuries were consistent with the use of a claw hammer and a screwdriver.

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She also had a broken bone in her neck, indicating she had been strangled.

Injuries to her hands suggested she had tried to defend herself.

Blows to her head caused brain injuries that led to her death, but the pattern of injuries showed she had been alive after the attack for 15 to 24 hours.

Yesterday, Smith told his trial at Nottingham Crown Court, the will, which left everything to him, had been written at his home, and Mrs Owen had been there.

Peter Joyce QC, prosecuting, said: “I’m going to suggest to you there are things in it that suggests Hilda was not there? It was filled in by you, on your own without Hilda there?”

Smith, wearing a grey suit, white shirt and patterned tie, replied: “Not at all. She was with me.”

The court has heard Smith had given police a copy of the will.

The document was allegedly written by Smith and had been bought from retailer WH Smith on February 19, 2007, but was backdated to January 22, 2007.

He denies murdering Mrs Owen between February 26 and March 1, 2007. He has pleaded not guilty.