Man jailed for murdering woman he paid for sex

Adam Watson was previously found guilty of murder following a trial

A man who murdered a woman he had paid for sex has been given a life sentence with a minimum of 21 years.

Adam Watson suffocated and strangled Samantha Holden, 56, in her flat in Farnborough, Hampshire, on 9 September 2022.

Watson, 37, went on to flee the country before being arrested two days later at a hotel in Belgium. He was then extradited back to the UK, Winchester Crown Court heard.

Giving a statement during sentencing, Ms Holden's daughter Rebecca Elliott described her mother as her "best friend, my soul mate and most importantly my mum".

Samantha Holden's daughter told the court it was "difficult to put into words the full impact" of her mother's death

Judge Angela Morris revealed Watson, who was previously found guilty of murder following a trial, had attacked another woman in 2013.

He pleaded guilty to sexual assault in this instance and told the court that he only did this to spare the woman from a court hearing.

Watson was sentenced to eight years and eight months, at a court in Newcastle, for this crime, Judge Morris said.

He was on an extended licence period for this crime when he killed Ms Holden.

At Thursday's sentencing, the court heard how police were called to Ms Holden's flat shortly after 16:00 BST when her body was discovered by her 18-year-old son.

She was lying down covered in a blue dressing gown and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Watson's DNA was found on Ms Holden's neck and fingernails, the court heard.

He said he first contacted Ms Holden in May 2022 through an adult website, where she offered services under the name "English blonde lady".

He said they had met for sexual encounters several times before her death.

It was because of this, Judge Morris said Ms Holden "trusted" Watson.

After killing Ms Holden, Watson disposed of her phone at St Pancras station before fleeing to Belgium.

'Broke my heart'

Ms Holden's daughter Mrs Elliott, 24, read a statement during sentencing.

She spoke about getting engaged and of her mother's excitement for the wedding and how she had "bought her dress" for the day.

She said she remembered the day her mother was killed "so clearly" and it was "difficult to put into words the full impact" it has had on her and her brother.

"The manner in which she died continues to haunt me," she said.

"The thought of my mum having such a terrifying last moment."

She added knowing that her mother's body had to be examined afterwards "broke my heart".

The judge also told the court how in 2008 Watson was charged with three counts of wounding with intent against members of his own family.

The lawyer for the prosecution, Anna Vigars KC, elaborated on this and told the court how Watson attacked his father, his brother and his sister and "amputated his own left little finger" during the incident.

While in 2013 he attacked another woman who had rejected his sexual advances, leaving her unconscious when he subsequently hit her and put his hand around her neck.

Watson, of Dukes Court, Farnborough, did not look at Mrs Elliott as she delivered the statement, instead choosing to stare at the courtroom floor.