The brutal murder of 80-year-old Jenny Methven came as a shock to the quiet community surrounding her Perthshire home.
William Kean, a lifelong friend of the Methven family, was convicted of killing the pensioner on Monday at the High Court in Glasgow.
He was jailed for life and ordered to serve a minimum term of 22 years.
Outside the court Mrs Methven's son David Methven described him as a lifelong friend and their relationship as similar to "brothers". He described the murder as an "act of betrayal".
He said: "Billy Kean was a friend of mine for more than 20 years. In fact we were almost like brothers. I cannot begin to understand or forgive what he did to my mum. It was an act of betrayal and his denials in the time since and particularly during this trial leave him beneath contempt.
"I thank the jury for their verdict and hope that the sentence he has been given leaves him with plenty time to reflect on the devastation he has caused, not just to my family, but to his own family too.
"I am also very grateful to local residents and others who knew my mum and know me well. They have been a great support throughout this ordeal. My mother was warm, generous and someone who always had time for others around her. I miss her desperately.’"
Mrs Methven, described by the judge in the case as "kindly" and "active" was well-respected in the community and was formerly a Forgandenny WRI president. She also regularly attended Forteviot Parish Church.
She had lived with her son David Methven, 60, at Kildinny Farm Cottage until he found her covered in blood on February 20.
The surrounding Strathearn Valley houses some of Scotland's most prestigious homes including that of golfer Colin Montgomerie, who lives just a few miles away at Dunning, Perth.
DNA evidence had linked Kean, 46, of Blairgowrie, to the scene but he had denied the murder and instead blamed Mr Methven for the brutal killing.
Businessman
The court heard that Mr Methven was a very successful businessman and had £500,000 in a business account, £80,000 in his personal account and £300,000 in investments, as well as £159,000 which he kept at his home.
Mr Methven told the court the cash in the house had belonged to him, his mother and some was left by his late father, Andrew.
Defence QC Brian McConnachie had asked Mr Methven, when he gave evidence, if he had connections with criminals in Strathclyde which he denied.
The QC then asked why the police would think that and Mr Methven told the court he had "absolutely no idea".
Papers from Glasgow Sheriff Court revealed Mrs Methven left behind £202,787.25, most of it to her son. She also left a charitable donation of £100 to the Perthshire Abandoned Dog Society Pads and £1000 to a Claire Urquhart from Spalding, Lincolnshire.
Mrs Methven, who instructed that she be buried beside her husband, also left jewellery to her friends and family.
Rural community
Detective chief inspector Colin Gall, who led the investigation, said: "This was a crime that shocked a small rural community and appalled the nation as a whole. We were all horrified that a woman in her 80s could meet with so violent a death.
"Mrs Methven was a well-known, well-liked and much-respected member of the local community who was devoted to her son David and her two-year-old spaniel Kyle. From an enquiry perspective, the fact we had an elderly law abiding and much-loved woman as the victim of this atrocious attack made this a very challenging enquiry, made more difficult still by the relatively remote location of her home.
"William Kean has offered a version of events in court that bears no resemblance to the reality of what happened. He has only compounded the suffering for Mrs Methven’s son. Not only did he murder David’s mother, he betrayed his friendship and then sought to incriminate him for his mother’s death."
David Harvie, procurator fiscal for the North of Scotland, added: "This was a sustained and brutal attack which left an 80-year-old widow dead in her own home. Her murder has shocked the local community. William Kean was a long time friend of Jenny Methven and her family and was a frequent visitor to her home.
"That she met her death at the hands of someone she knew and trusted makes this murder all the more harrowing."
