Man guilty of murdering woman and burning her body

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, of Hitchin Road, Luton killed Victoria Greenwood, 41, whose body was discovered in a car park in Hertfordshire last year.

Luton Crown Court heard he had arranged to meet Ms Greenwood, who was a sex worker, at his flat in the early hours of Friday, 10 November.

She was seen on CCTV footage on the ground outside trying to escape, but being pulled back inside the property.

Detectives from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Major Crime Unit found that Brown had made multiple trips to different shops that weekend, buying a variety of items including a saw, a foldable sack barrow, a jerry can, and a large amount of cleaning supplies.

On 12 November, CCTV recorded him using the sack barrow to transport a large furniture unit wrapped in duct tape, containing Ms Greenwood’s body, from his flat to his car.

He was also seen at a local petrol station that evening filling a container with fuel.

Emergency services were called to a car park near Wallington, in Hertfordshire, two days later to reports of a body on fire.

Brown had previously pleaded guilty to obstructing a coroner in the exercise of their duty.

Det Insp Justine Jenkins 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."

Brown is due to be sentenced on 7 June.

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