Update 13 July 2012
A woman has today been sentenced to life imprisonment after
being found guilty of murdering the husband of a woman she used to
care for.
Bunthawee Rimmer, aged 49 and of Castle Lane in Haverhill, had
denied the murder of Paul Norfolk in his bed at the home they
shared in December 2011.
On Friday 30 December, Mr Norfolk’s brother had called police as
he was unable to contact the 77-year-old. Officers forced entry to
the house and found Mr Norfolk deceased in the bed with Rimmer
beside him. Mr Norfolk had suffered fatal head injuries, whilst
Rimmer also had head injuries and was unconscious. A hammer, a
selection of knives and blister packs for medication were also
found in the bedroom.
Rimmer was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital for
treatment for her injuries and was additionally found to be
suffering from the effects of an overdose. Upon release from the
hospital she was arrested and was taken into police custody on 31
December.
Rimmer had been living with Mr Norfolk and his wife since her
husband died in 2010. She had been acting as a carer for the
Norfolks, but in March 2011 Mrs Norfolk was admitted to a care home
and Rimmer remained in the Castle Lane house with Mr Norfolk. Mr
Norfolk then changed his will to leave the property and other
assets to her.
Upon her arrest Rimmer made no comment to officers about the
murder, but did disclose to a health worker that her injuries were
self-inflicted and she claimed that she had been in an abusive
relationship with Mr Norfolk. When interviewed by psychiatrists
Rimmer claimed to have been suffering from depression and to have
no memory of the incident. A post mortem examination found that Mr
Norfolk died as a result of blunt force head injuries consistent
with at least 12 strikes from a hammer.
On Tuesday 3 January 2012 Rimmer was charged with murder and
appeared before Bury St Edmunds Magistrates Court. On 16 March she
denied murdering Mr Norfolk at Ipswich Crown Court, and following a
two week long trial was found guilty of murder and sentenced to
life imprisonment.
Temporary Detective Superintendent Jes Fry of the Norfolk and
Suffolk Major Investigation Team said: “The court has heard how Ms
Rimmer took the life of a much-loved brother and godfather – sadly
for the family and friends of Paul Norfolk, they were not able to
hear why this happened from Rimmer herself. Whilst the weapons and
medication packets found in the bedroom tell part of the story, we
may never know exactly what happened before Mr Norfolk’s death,
though it would appear from his position that he was asleep when he
was attacked. I would like to pass my sympathies to the family and
friends of Paul Norfolk, and thank officers and staff for their
hard work on this sad case.”
The family of Paul Norfolk have released the following
statement:
"Paul was the youngest of a family of four and had a happy
childhood in the village of Ridgewell. We were a happy and united
family. Paul was a popular and well liked member of the
community.
"At eighteen years old, he joined the Tank Regiment and served
in the army for three years. He was well-liked by his army friends
and was still in touch with one of them at the time of his
death.
"For thirty years he was employed at IFF in Haverhill. Upon
marriage he settled into his house in Castle Lane, where he
was still living at the time of his death.
"Paul was a very generous, kind and sympathetic man. He was
liked and respected by everyone who knew him especially by his
neighbours and their children by whom he was affectionately called
'Uncle'. He was always ready to help others.
"His brother and I (both in our eighties) are completely
devastated by the wickedly cruel way in which our gentle, loving
and much loved brother was taken from us. It was a blow from which
we shall never recover. Our remaining years will be spent grieving
for him, who brought joy and happiness into our lives and whom we
shall always remember as our dearest Paul. With all our love, Peter
and Pansy."
Update 6pm - 3 January 2012
Suffolk Police have this evening, Tuesday 3 January charged a
woman following the murder of a man in Haverhill.
Bunthawee Rimmer aged 49 years from Castle Lane, Haverhill has
been charged with the murder of Paul Norfolk aged 77 years from
Castle Lane, Haverhill and will appear before Bury St Edmunds
Magistrates Court tomorrow morning, Wednesday 4 January.
2 January 2012 Update
Ipswich Magistrates Court has this morning authorised a 36-hour
extension of the custody time limit of the woman arrested on 31
December on suspicion of murder.
The arrest followed investigations into the discovery of a man’s
body in a property in Castle Lane, Haverhill on Friday 30
December.
The woman, aged in her forties, remains in custody at the Bury
Police Investigation Centre.
1 January 2012
Update
A woman remains in custody today,
Sunday 1 January, arrested on suspicion of murdering a man in
Haverhill.
The woman from Haverhill and in her
40s is being held in custody at Bury St Edmunds Police
Investigation Centre.
The man, who was found deceased in his
home in Castle Lane, Haverhill has been formally identified as Paul
Norfolk, aged 77 years.
A Post Mortem examination took place
earlier today and it has been established that Mr Norfolk died as a
result of head injuries.
Update
A woman arrested on suspicion of
murder has been released from hospital and taken to Bury St Edmunds
Police Investigation Centre for questioning.
Suffolk Police arrested the woman,
aged in her 40s and from Haverhill earlier today in Addenbrooke’s
Hospital following the death of a man found at an address in
Haverhill.
A member of the public called police
at around 10:05pm yesterday, Friday 30 December, reporting concern
for the welfare of a resident in Castle Lane. Police attended the
property where they failed to get a response and subsequently
forced entry.
The body of a man was discovered
inside.
A woman was also found inside with
injuries. She was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where she
received treatment.
A cordon remains at the property
whilst officers conduct further enquiries and scenes of crime
officers attend.
Formal identification of the man, who
is aged in his 70s has not yet taken place.
A post mortem examination will take
place in due course to ascertain the cause of death.
Anyone with information is asked to
contact Suffolk Police on 101.
Update
Suffolk Police have arrested a
woman on suspicion of murder, following the death of a man in
Haverhill.
A member of the public called police
at around 10:05pm yesterday, Friday 30 December, reporting concern
for the welfare of a resident in Castle Lane. Police attended the
property where they failed to get a response and subsequently
forced entry.
The body of a man was discovered
inside.
A woman was also found inside with
injuries. She was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital where she is
receiving treatment.
Police have arrested the woman who is
believed to be in her 40s and from the Haverhill area whilst in
hospital, on suspicion of murder and she will be moved to a Police
Investigation Centre once released from hospital.
A cordon remains at the property
whilst officers conduct further enquiries and scenes of crime
officers attend.
Formal identification of the man, who
is aged in his 70s has not yet taken place.
A post mortem examination will take
place in due course to ascertain the cause of death.
Anyone with information is asked to contact
Suffolk Police on
101.
Saturday 31
December
A man was last night, Friday 30
December, found dead at an address in Haverhill.
A member of the public called police
at around 10:05pm yesterday, reporting concern for the welfare of a
resident in Castle Lane. Police attended the property where they
failed to get a response and subsequently forced entry.
The body of a man was discovered
inside.
A woman was also found inside with a
head injury. She has been taken to Addenbrooke’s where she
currently remains.
A cordon has been put up at the
property and officers will remain on scene throughout the
night.
Anyone with information is asked to
contact Suffolk Police on 101.
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