Man jailed for minimum of 24 years for murdering woman in Stroud

Emma Potter was described as a kind and beautiful person by her family.

Emma Potter lived in Stroud, Gloucestershire (Gloucestershire Police/PA) (PA Media)

A man who confessed to a friend that he had killed a woman has been jailed for a minimum of 24 years.

Joe Rankin, 34, went to the home of Emma Potter, 40, in Stroud, Gloucestershire, to kill her on September 20 last year.

Bristol Crown Court heard Ms Potter, who had cerebral palsy, suffered multiple stab wounds in the attack at her flat.

She was physically vulnerable because she suffered from cerebral palsy, having to wear callipers to support her legs and using a stick or a frame to walk

Judge Peter Blair KC

Her body lay undiscovered until November 4, when police forced entry to the property following concerns for her welfare.

Six days later, drug-user Rankin confessed to friend Joshua Tucker-Bradshaw that he was responsible for Ms Potter’s death.

Rankin, who took cocaine, heroin and cannabis, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to a charge of murder.

Judge Peter Blair KC, the Recorder of Bristol, sentenced Rankin to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 24 years.

He told Rankin: “Emma Potter was 40 years old when she was killed. She had lived in the same flat in Stroud for four years.

“She was physically vulnerable because she suffered from cerebral palsy, having to wear callipers to support her legs and using a stick or a frame to walk.

“This would have made her less able to defend herself if attacked.”

The judge said Ms Potter had mental health problems and her family feared she was being “taken advantage of” by people using her flat, due to her sociable nature.

“Their sense of grief, unanswered questions and sense of helplessness is undoubtedly acute,” he added.

Rankin killed Ms Potter in the early hours of September 20, after going to her flat from his nearby home.

The judge described how Rankin stabbed Ms Potter “repeatedly” to her chest, stomach, arm, leg and neck.

He later told a psychiatrist that he had gone to the property to kill Ms Potter, whom he knew.

Rankin, of Langtoft Road, Slad, Stroud, also admitted having sex with Ms Potter’s body after her death.

I'm as good as dead. It was me that killed Emma. It was me that did it, it was me that killed her

Joe Rankin

“That was an act of gross desecration and insult,” the judge told Rankin.

After killing Ms Potter, Rankin returned home and continued with his life as normal, the court heard.

Christopher Quinlan KC, prosecuting, said Rankin returned to Ms Potter’s flat for about 90 minutes on September 28.

Mr Quinlan said only Rankin knew why he killed Ms Potter and why he went back to her property.

Concerns were raised for Ms Potter’s welfare on November 3 and police forced entry to the flat the following day.

“What they found must have been deeply distressing,” Mr Quinlan said.

A post-mortem examination found signs of decomposition, as well as multiple stab wounds, to Ms Potter’s body.

On November 10, Rankin walked past the property, which had a police presence outside, with Mr Tucker-Bradshaw.

He later told him: “I’m as good as dead. It was me that killed Emma. It was me that did it, it was me that killed her.”

How can her murderer live with the knowledge of what he has done to a fellow human being?

Emma Potter's mother

Police were alerted by Mr Tucker-Bradshaw, who received a judge’s commendation for his actions, and Rankin was arrested at his home a short time later.

Representing Rankin, David Aubrey KC said his client had accepted responsibility for Ms Potter’s death at an early stage.

“There are clearly aggravating factors here – the deceased died in her own home, a knife was used to kill her, the defendant left the deceased in her home and she was vulnerable,” Mr Aubrey said.

He added that his client, who had a history of mental health problems, was a user of Class A drugs at the time.

In a victim personal statement read to the court, Ms Potter’s mother Jean said her daughter had been “cherished”.

“How can her murderer live with the knowledge of what he has done to a fellow human being?” Mrs Potter asked.

Rankin was jailed for life and will serve a minimum of 24 years in prison before he is considered for release on licence.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Adam Stacey, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, praised the “poise and dignity” of Ms Potter’s family.

“This was a horrific murder and they have displayed incredible bravery,” he said.

“I know this sentence will bring a sense of comfort for them as their daughter’s killer faces a long stay in prison.”