Leeds man sentenced to life for murder of 62-year-old Colleen Westerman
John Bootland has been handed a 15-year minimum term
A Leeds man has been jailed for life for the murder of 62 year old Colleen Westerman, who he attacked in a drunken rage at their shared home.
John Bootland, 57, will spent a minimum of 15 years behind bars after admitting to the killing, on November 6 last year, on Melville Gardens in Woodhouse.
Police were alerted following reports of a disturbance and upon arrival found Colleen with multiple injuries from a violent assault.
She was pronounced dead at the scene, with Bootland being charged just two days later.
Bootland admitted to murder at a previous hearing in January.
In an impact statement read before court, Colleen's family wrote:
"I shouldn't have to tell my daughter that her grandma is now with the angels. You have not only robbed my mum of her life, but you have robbed us of our mum, my grandma of her daughter and my daughter of having a grandma to watch and cherish her growing up."
"You were selfish in your actions, and you had not thought into how it would turn all our lives upside down. I have well and truly lost my smile; I don’t know who I am and I don’t know if I will find myself again."
"My mother was always there for me to help me when I needed her, especially on the times I became anxious as she knew how to help my anxiety and calm me down.
"She was my rock. You haven't won because my mother will live on in my heart and many others. My mother’s legacy will live on forever in the people who really loved her, whereas you will be forgotten."
Detective Inspector Tom Hilyer, who led the investigation for West Yorkshire Police, said:
"Our thoughts remain firmly with Colleen’s family as they continue to come to terms with their loss."
"Bootland’s guilty plea prevented them from having to endure the further distress of a trial, but it doesn’t bring her back nor excuse what Colleen endured on that evening in November.
"I hope today's outcome reflects the seriousness of his callous actions, and it also provides some measure of comfort to the family that a level of justice has been served, at what understandably continues to be an incredibly difficult time for them."