A man who brutally murdered a retired Salvation Army officer has been jailed for life in Hong Kong.
The body of Major Janet Gilson, 64, was found hidden under a sofa at her niece’s home on Lamma, the third largest island in Hong Kong, in March 2011. She had been reported missing three days earlier.
Ahmed Fareed, who was 29 at the time, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment at the city’s high court. The court heard that Major Gilson had been suffocated after being strangled with a rope and had a towel stuffed into her mouth. Four of her ribs had been broken.
It is understood Fareed was the ex-husband of Major Gilson’s niece and had been barred by a court order from entering the property. Major Gilson had retired shortly before her death and lived in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex.
The jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict after a six-day trial.
Major Gilson’s niece, Julia, told the South China Morning Post: “To those people that are in relationships with violent partners: I strongly urge you to get away.
“I made the mistake of believing I could help change my ex-husband, giving him many chances. I realise the error of that judgement now and hope that others can also learn from that.”
Fareed, from the Maldives, was arrested at Hong Kong’s ferry harbour shortly after the murder.
Major Carol Bailey, regional manager for the Salvation Army, said: “Major Gilson was a deeply spiritual woman and was highly respected and loved. She was an inspirational person and she will be sadly missed.”
