Eighty-year-old Connie French was a beloved great-grandmother who lived alone in a house on North Street in Colne, Lancashire, England.
In the early hours of March 27th, 2012, she was found on the floor of her bedroom in her home by carers. She had suffered severe injuries, including bruising to her neck and chest and damage to her larynx, which left her barely able to speak. The injuries were sustained during a burglary in which an alarm pendant and £230 were stolen.
From her hospital bed in the intensive care unit at Bradford Royal Infirmary, Connie communicated with detectives, mouthing answers and writing on a notepad to identify her attacker as George Portsmouth, her granddaughter’s boyfriend. She alleged that Portsmouth had attempted to suffocate her with a pillow during the attack.
Despite medical efforts, Connie succumbed to her injuries on April 13th, 2012, less than two weeks after the assault.
Lancashire Police launched a thorough investigation into the incident, initially treating it as an attempted murder case due to Connie’s allegations and the severity of her injuries. George Portsmouth, a twenty-four-year-old resident of Varley Street, Colne, was arrested shortly after the incident.
Forensic evidence played a significant role in the case, with prosecutors later noting that a spot of blood found on the pillow at the scene matched Portsmouth’s DNA. The prosecution also alleged that Portsmouth had financial troubles, having gambled away £200 from his girlfriend’s bank account and spending over £800 at a Betfred shop in Colne, suggesting a possible motive for the burglary.
Following Connie’s death, Portsmouth was rearrested on suspicion of murder. During police questioning, he denied the allegations and could not explain why Connie had identified him as her attacker. The case was built on Connie’s statements, the forensic evidence, and the circumstances surrounding Portsmouth’s financial difficulties, leading to his trial at Preston Crown Court.
The trial, which began in February 2013 and lasted two weeks, was a highly emotional affair. Prosecutors, led by Kathryn Blackwell QC, argued that Portsmouth had broken into Connie’s home, attacked her, and attempted to suffocate her with a pillow, leading to her fatal injuries. The court heard that Connie’s injuries were so severe that she could only communicate through mouthing words and writing, yet she was resolute in identifying Portsmouth as her assailant.
Despite the prosecution’s case, the jury deliberated for over eleven hours before returning a not guilty verdict on both the murder and manslaughter charges on March 12th, 2013. The acquittal sparked intense reactions in the courtroom, with angry outbursts from the public gallery. Judge Anthony Russell QC discharged Portsmouth, who had been held in custody on remand during the trial.
Lancashire Police, represented by Detective Superintendent Paul Withers, expressed disappointment with the verdict but respected the court’s decision. They further stated that they were not seeking any additional suspects in connection with Connie’s death, indicating their belief that the case was resolved despite the not guilty verdict.
Due to Portsmouth’s acquittal, the murder of Connie French remains officially unsolved.
Crime Immemorial 