A 25-year-old man was today found guilty of murdering a woman at Gawcott.

Benjamin Harry Radojevic, of Hillesden Road, Gawcott, was found guilty at Reading Crown Court of the murder of Sally Hingston.

Radojevic was arrested after the body of 67-year-old Mrs Hingston was found in fields outside Gawcott in August last year, hours after she was reported missing by her family, who grew concerned when she didn’t return from her morning walk. A post-mortem examination found Mrs Hingston died from multiple injuries caused by being beaten with a golf club and a video recorder.

Det Chief Insp Peter Vigurs, from the Thames Valley Police Major Crime department, said: “I am very satisfied that we have a verdict for Sally Hingston that is right and fair.

"The court heard graphic details of how Radojevic attacked Sally and of the injuries he inflicted on her before he left her in that field.

"Sally was robbed of her life suddenly and prematurely. Her family and friends are left to come to terms with the loss of someone they loved and to try to understand why she was murdered.

“Radojevic has not told the whole truth and in particular gave no explanation of his motive. Considering all the evidence, it seems clear why he is so reluctant to admit the real reason for what he did.

"As that is something the Crown will ask the judge to consider when sentencing, I will say no more of that. I would like to say two things to the local community, in addition to thanking them for supporting the investigation.

“Sally Hingston lived in the same village as the man who murdered her. Gawcott and the wider community have been shaken by this case.

"I want to re-assure people that, although the details of this case are harrowing and have attracted wide attention, we have to remember that attacks like this are extremely rare.

“Although Ben Radojevic has not been fully honest, there is no doubt that as an adult in his mid-twenties he alone must take full responsibility for the decisions he made and for Sally Hingston’s murder.

"No-one else is responsible and that includes Ben’s family. They live in the same community and are trying to come to terms with this also.

“A tribute to Sally from her family will follow, but I would like to say to Reg, Bruce and Roy Hingston that I admire the courage and dignity they have shown throughout this ordeal.

"I want them to know that everyone who spoke to the police about Sally during this investigation told us how popular and well-loved she was locally and how much people miss her.”

The sons of Sally Hingston, Ray and Bruce, said: “Sally Hingston was a wonderful and popular person to all who knew her. A loving wife, caring mother, doting grandmother and trusting friend. The loss to the family has affected us all in different ways and the loss we all feel cannot be explained in words.

“No verdict can possibly compensate for this loss however the jury’s decision goes someway to seeing that justice has been done. We would like to thank the police and the Crown Prosecution Service for the tremendous work on this case and the support they have offered the family during this difficult time.

"Finally we would ask everyone to appreciate that two families have been devastated as a result of this tragic act and while we believe the correct verdict has been passed on the perpetrator of this act we extend our thoughts to his family who cannot and should not be held in way accountable for this event.

"We would now ask that both families are allowed to continue their respective grieving process in peace.”

Radojevic is due to be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Tuesday.