Dudley, West Midlands – A builder has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal killing of a customer with a hammer following months of delays in building an extension to her home.
Peter Norgrove, 43, was ordered to serve a minimum term of 15 years after admitting to the murder of 58-year-old Sharon Gordon. The recent qualified bricklayer had been hired by Gordon to build the extension and was paid £29,000 with an agreement to complete the work within two months.
The court was told that Norgrove was caught on doorbell and security camera footage before he killed Gordon at her house in Bromford Road, Holly Hall, Dudley. The judge described the offense as “brutal and savage,” involving eight blows to the victim’s head.
Notably, Norgrove had given a false statement to the police, claiming his victim was alive and well when he left the property. He was also observed picking up a child from school and leading a Kingdom Hall service after the murder.
Gordon’s daughter, Rhian Brown, expressed the impact of her mother’s tragic death on her family, stating, “This man’s actions have changed my life forever… In her final moments she was faced with shocking violence from someone she thought she could trust. Nothing will ever restore or compensate for what we have lost.”
Furthermore, the court also heard that bloodstained items were found in a wheelie bin at a family address linked to Norgrove and a hammer hidden in a shed at the victim’s home. Detective Inspector Damian Forrest, who led the investigation, expressed that Gordon’s friends and family have been deeply affected by her death, and while Norgrove has now faced the consequences of his appalling actions, their thoughts remain with them as they continue to grieve.
Norgrove’s angry reaction to criticism over delays and workmanship evidently escalated to a violent and fatal confrontation, leaving a family mourning the loss of their loved one. The case serves as a stark reminder of the potentially tragic consequences that can result from conflicts between builders and their clients.