Stolen Gates Link Back to Gruesome 2008 Murder of Granny Georgina
Police are hunting thieves who made off with a large pair of black electric gates from the home of murdered 77-year-old Georgina Edmonds in Otterbourne. The gates, worth thousands, were taken sometime between 10pm on Saturday 21st August and 10am the following day.
Grim Past Haunts Otterbourne Cottage
Georgina Edmonds was the victim in one of Hampshire’s biggest murder investigations back in January 2008. The horror unfolded on Kiln Lane, where the retired granny was brutally killed. Matthew Hamlen was initially convicted but walked free in 2012 after DNA evidence was deemed poor. He was hauled back in after fresh, compelling evidence emerged, and has now been sentenced to a minimum of 30 years behind bars by Mr Justice Saunders at Winchester Crown Court.
Fig Tree Cottage: From Tragedy to Target
The Fig Tree Cottage on Kiln Lane, valued at £650,000, has changed hands twice since the murder – in January 2010 and July 2016. New owners beefed up security, installing the now-stolen gates to keep the prying eyes at bay. The gates even featured recently in a documentary on the chilling case, reminding locals that Granny Georgina will never be forgotten.
Police Plea: Help Catch the Heavy Gate Thieves
Hampshire Police say the gates are huge and heavy – stealing them would have required multiple people and a large vehicle. Officers have no vehicle details or direction of travel so far.
“Did you see or hear any suspicious activity on Kiln Lane between 10pm August 21 and 10am August 22? Any large vehicles parked or passing through? If you live nearby with CCTV, Ring doorbells or dashcams – please check your footage,” police urge.
If you can help, call 101 quoting incident number 44210334818.
