Gosport pensioner, 83, convicted of murdering nephew with 11 stab wounds

Alan Wotton, 83, was found guilty of murder after stabbing his nephew Andrew Avery 11 times and setting fire to the house in Gosport.

Elderly Gosport man found guilty of murdering nephew and starting fire to conceal killing

An 83-year-old man has been convicted of murdering his nephew after stabbing him 11 times and setting fire to a house in Gosport, Hampshire, Google News UK — Crime (en) reports, citing BBC coverage of the case.

Firefighters discovered Andrew Avery, 65, lying in a smoke-filled property on Exmouth Road in November 2024. He had sustained seven stab wounds to the chest as well as further injuries to his legs and abdomen.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard that the defendant, Alan Wotton, had been living in the house — which had belonged to his late sister — at the time of the attack on 29 September. Avery had been attempting to sell the property and Wotton was reluctantly due to move out that same day.

Wotton told police he punched his nephew before beginning to stab him "to shut him up". When detectives asked how he felt about the number of stab wounds inflicted, Wotton replied: "I did a good job."

The court was told Wotton had developed a delusional belief that his nephew was spreading rumours accusing him of being a paedophile. He was also angered that Avery intended to move him into a flat and planned to use funds from Wotton's inheritance to cover the property fees.

Two psychiatrists subsequently diagnosed Wotton with a delusional disorder, though they disagreed on whether the condition had directly caused the killing.

Wotton denied murder but admitted killing his nephew. He also pleaded guilty to arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. The jury rejected his pleas of self-defence and diminished responsibility after deliberating for fewer than two hours at the end of the two-week trial.

Simon Clark of the Crown Prosecution Service said Andrew Avery "had been helping his uncle and arranging for his future" and that he "lost his life in a horrific and wholly unnecessary act of violence." Clark added that the CPS's thoughts remained with Avery's family and hoped the verdict provided "some measure of justice."

Wotton is due to be sentenced on 22 October.

Source: Google News UK — Crime (en)