Police bodycam footage captured Thomas Grant being arrested for the murder of Cannock widow Lucy Clews
A man who “brutally” killed a grieving widow at her home on Christmas Day and sold her wedding ring to fund his drug habit has been jailed for life.
Lucy Clews, 39, offered Thomas Grant a place to stay on Christmas Eve in 2021, when he told her he had nowhere else to go.
She was found dead at her Staffordshire home after her mother raised concerns.
Grant, 28, of no fixed address, was jailed for a minimum of nearly 26 years after a trial at Stafford Crown Court.
The jury had heard Ms Clews had been recently widowed when she met Grant.
He then used her Cannock home as a base, spending several days visiting people he knew, to persuade them to give him money to fuel his drug habit, the court heard.
Image source, Family
Lucy Clews was grieving the death of her husband
It was the prosecution’s case that Grant stole and sold Ms Clews’ jewellery – including her wedding ring and a necklace belonging to her late husband – in order to raise money for drugs. He also sold her mobile phone.
Police began investigating when Ms Clews’ mother raised concerns, having not heard from her over the festive period.
‘Severe stab wounds’
Grant had also been spotted on CCTV on Christmas Day, having left the scene of the murder.
When he was arrested in Hednesford on 30 December 2021, Grant gave a false name to officers.
The trial was told a knife was found at the scene that had both Ms Clews’ and his DNA on it. Grant’s possessions were also discovered at her home, in Cannock.
A post-mortem examination revealed she suffered “multiple ‘severe’ stab wounds” and was strangled before her death.
Grant had denied killing Ms Clews at her property, claiming someone else was responsible, but refused to tell the court who that was.
‘Vulnerable grieving widow’
He was found guilty in August, following a five week trial at Stafford Crown Court and was due to be sentenced the following day.
However, the case was adjourned by the judge for psychiatric reports to be prepared on him.
Following his conviction in August, Det Ch Insp Cheryl Hannan, of Staffordshire Police, described Ms Clews as “a vulnerable, grieving widow, who invited Grant to stay with her over Christmas to have some company”.
“Grant repaid that kindness by brutally killing her,” she said.
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