A 38-year-old man with a sexual interest in much older women has been convicted of murdering an elderly neighbour in 2003.

Patrick Curran was found guilty the murder of Joan Roddam, 74, following a three week trial at Truro Crown Court.

The court heard that she may have rebuffed his sexual advances.

He will be sentenced at Truro Crown Court on Tuesday, January 27.

Joan, aged 74, was killed at her home in Delabole and her body was discovered at the rear of her home at West Downs, during the evening of Saturday, November 8, 2003.

A post mortem examination revealed that she had died from asphyxiation.

Following a review and a re-investigation of the case undertaken by Cornwall’s Major Crime Investigation Team, Curran was arrested on 18th March 2014 and later charged with her murder.

He remained in custody pending the trial.

Following the verdict, the senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Stuart Ellis said: "The murder of Joan Roddam occurred some 11 years ago. Since that time her family and the community in which she lived has had to deal with this tragedy and all its consequences.

"I hope that the conviction of Patrick Curran now will in some way bring comfort and reassurances to all those who have been affected.

Aine Rendell, the great niece of Joan Roddam, made the following statement on behalf of the family: "We are pleased today that the jury have found Patrick Curran guilty of the murder of Joan. We still find it difficult even after all these years to come to terms with the fact that Joan was murdered by somebody that she knew and trusted.

“Patrick is the son of Margaret Curran who cared for Frank, Joan’s husband, before he died. Margaret remained a friend of Joan’s after Frank’s death and it has been hard for us to accept why somebody so close to Joan could have killed her.

"Joan’s death in 2003 came as a shock to us. Joan was my great aunt and we were very close. We spent time staying with Joan at Delabole over many years. These were happy times for us. My dad would visit Joan regularly and help her out with jobs around the house.

"The rest of the family would visit at other times and particularly during the summer holidays. We all loved coming to Cornwall and today most of our family has settled in Cornwall because of Joan.

"Joan was a very private lady who lived on her own and enjoyed her own company. She had many friends scattered across the country and kept in touch with people by telephone. She was somebody who was very willing to help others if she could.

"Joan loved animals and kept cats and adopted any wild animal or bird that came to the house to be fed. She had a pond in her garden and this was a particular love of hers.

"Joan and Frank moved to Delabole in 1978 when Frank retired. They had a property in Spain and Joan loved spending time in Spain but always liked coming home.

"During the trial we have heard details about Joan’s death that have shocked us. Joan did not deserve to die in these circumstances. We cannot understand why Patrick Curran did not come to court to defend himself and face us as a family.

"We are glad that finally today justice has been served. We would like to thank the police and the Crown Prosecution Service for bringing this case to court and everybody who has provided information that has helped to convict Patrick Curran today."