'My mother will live on' - Family's powerful statement as killer jailed for life over Yorkshire murder
A powerful family impact statement was read out in court as a man was jailed for life for the murder of a woman in Yorkshire.
Colleen Westerman was found with serious injuries after being attacked when police attended reports of a disturbance in Melville Gardens in the Woodhouse area of Leeds on November 6 last year.
Colleen was pronounced dead at the scene and John Bootland was charged with the murder of the 62-year-old grandmother.
Bootland, 57, of Melville Gardens, pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 15 years at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday (Apr 1).
During sentencing the court heard from Colleen’s family who, across three statements, said: “I shouldn't have to tell my daughter that her grandma is now with the angels. You have not only robbed my mum of her life, but you have robbed us of our mum, my grandma of her daughter and my daughter of having a grandma to watch and cherish her growing up.
“You were selfish in your actions, and you had not thought into how it would turn all our lives upside down. I have well and truly lost my smile; I don’t know who I am and I don’t know if I will find myself again.”
“My mother was always there for me to help me when I needed her, especially on the times I became anxious as she knew how to help my anxiety and calm me down. She was my rock.
“You haven't won, because my mother will live on in my heart and many others. My mother’s legacy will live on forever in the people who really loved her, whereas you will be forgotten.”
Detective Inspector Tom Hilyer, of West Yorkshire Police, said: “Our thoughts remain firmly with Colleen’s family as they continue to come to terms with their loss.
“Bootland’s guilty plea prevented them from having to endure the further distress of a trial, but it doesn’t bring her back nor excuse what Colleen endured on that evening in November.
“I hope today's outcome reflects the seriousness of his callous actions, and it also provides some measure of comfort to the family that a level of justice has been served, at what understandably continues to be an incredibly difficult time for them.”