Woman killed by man she allowed to stay in home

Kristine Sparane was found dead at her home in Spalding on 26 November

A woman found dead in her home was killed by a 64-year-old man whom she had allowed to stay at the property, a jury has found.

Kristine Sparane was found by police lying on a bed and covered in blood at her flat in Winsover Road, Spalding, on 26 November.

The supermarket worker had suffered a number of blunt force injuries to her head and a severe skull fracture, Lincoln Crown Court heard.

Brian Simpson was initially charged with murder but a trial of facts was held in its place after he was deemed unfit to face a criminal trial due to his mental health.

'Heavy blows'

The hearing was to determine whether Mr Simpson killed Ms Sparane but could not result in a conviction.

After hearing evidence from witnesses, including Home Office pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton, who carried out the post-mortem examination, as well as a police officer who attended the incident, the jury decided Mr Simpson was responsible for her death.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned the case until 14 July for further psychiatric reports on Mr Simpson, who remains in custody.

A judge will have to decide whether he would be detained in a secure psychiatric hospital.

Earlier, Dr Hamilton told the court the 37-year-old had suffered a number of lacerations to her head consistent with blunt force rather than a bladed object.

"It would have to be least four heavy blows, most likely more," he said.

One of the blows caused a severe multiple fracture to Ms Sparane's skull which was more typical of a person being involved in a road traffic collision or falling from height, he told the jury.

"This level of injury is rare, it is not something I see very often in the context of an assault," the pathologist added.

Dr Hamilton also agreed the injuries were consistent with Ms Sparane's head being shut in a door.

Blue specks of paint found on her skull were also consistent with a large pepper mill recovered during the investigation, the court heard.

"It was entirely consistent with it (the pepper mill) being used to strike the head," the pathologist said.

Bruising on her hands suggested she had been trying to defend herself, Dr Hamilton added.

The court was told Mr Simpson used a mobility scooter but was also seen walking and there were no disability aids in Ms Sparane's home.

Ms Sparane had previously told a friend that Simpson would "come to cuddle and kiss her", which was not welcomed.

A friend described Ms Sparane as "naive around men", adding that although Mr Simpson used a mobility scooter she had seen him standing and walking.

Other colleagues said Ms Sparane had described him as a "nuisance" and she was happy because he had been due to leave.

Small stab wound

Jurors heard on Tuesday that police found Mr Simpson lying face-down on a bedroom floor wearing only his trousers and next to a blood-coated kitchen knife.

An uninjured, young child was also present in the room.

Officers initially believed Mr Simpson, of Nene Court, Spalding, was dead but he was later heard making comments including, "they're coming to kill me", before being taken to hospital.

The court heard he had a small stab wound near his abdomen which did not require surgery and could have been self-inflicted.

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