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A man has been jailed for a minimum of 19 years for murdering his lodger and scattering his severed body parts in packages and a suitcase.<\/p>\n
Benjamin Atkins, 49, killed Simon Shotton, of the same age, at their home in Bournemouth in August 2023, following a dispute over money and drugs, Winchester Crown Court heard.<\/p>\n
Atkins’ partner, Debbie Pereira, 39, was jailed for four years for perverting the course of justice and preventing the burial of a corpse.<\/p>\n
The judge, Mrs Justice Stacey, said Atkins’ actions were “gruesome” and “shockingly callous”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mr Shotton’s legs were disposed of on the Manor Steps Zig Zag footpath at Boscombe seafront in August 2023.<\/p>\n
The trial was told how a member of the public was sheltering under a tree when a package containing the human remains landed beside her.<\/p>\n
In September, the victim’s arms were found in the couple’s garden in Aylesbury Road, and his torso was discovered in a suitcase at Boscombe Chine Gardens.<\/p>\n
Police said skull fragments were also found in Walpole Lane in February 2024.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n