A man who killed a woman and attempted to cover his tracks by burning her body has been found guilty of murder.
Robert Brown, 38, was convicted on Friday (May 31) of the murder of 41-year-old Victoria Greenwood, whose body was discovered in a car park in North Hertfordshire last year.
During the trial, the court heard how Brown had arranged to meet Victoria, who worked as a sex worker, in the early hours of Friday, November 10.
CCTV captured the pair arriving and entering his flat together, but footage later showed the victim on the ground outside, appearing to be trying to escape, with Brown pulling her back inside.
While investigating, detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit found that Brown had made multiple trips to different shops that weekend, purchasing a variety of suspicious items, including a saw, a foldable sack barrow, a jerry can and a large amount of cleaning supplies.
On Sunday, November 12, CCTV recorded him using the sack barrow to transport a large furniture unit wrapped in duct tape, containing Victoria’s body, from his flat to his car. He was also seen at a petrol station that evening filling a container with fuel.
Emergency services were called to a car park near Wallington two days later to reports of a body on fire.
Brown, of Hitchin Road in Luton, has been found guilty of murder following a three-week trial at Luton Crown Court.
He had previously pleaded guilty to obstructing a coroner in the exercise of their duty before the trial began.
He is due to be sentenced on Friday (June 7).
Detective Inspector Justine Jenkins, who led the investigation, said: "The violence and terror that Brown inflicted on a vulnerable woman, and the lengths he went to in covering up his crime, reveal a deeply disturbing and calculated nature.
"His actions not only resulted in the tragic loss of life, but also caused immense pain to Victoria’s loved ones.
"Sadly, the nature of sex work can expose workers to a higher risk of violence, with perpetrators often taking advantage of being in a private or isolated place.
"We remain committed to apprehending dangerous individuals and providing comprehensive support, alongside partner agencies, to reduce the risks faced by sex workers and ensure their safety."
For more information about sex worker safety, including how to report concerns and seek support, visit beds.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/sw/sex-worker-safety.
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