A "CARING" and "selfless" family man was strangled to death and his body left in Southampton woodland just two days before he was set to retire.

Gerald Pragnell’s body was found on November 3, which led to police sealing off the area while they combed through the woodland off Cemetery Road, near Southampton Common, for clues.

Now, the man responsible has been told by a judge he may never be released from prison after he admitted the murder.

Tommy Scott, 34, was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment at Winchester Crown Court, of which he must serve at least 27 years behind bars.

Prosecutor Simon Jones told the court Scott used a “piece of material” being used as a belt to strangle the 66-year-old, who was at the Common after leaving a night shift at Southampton Airport on November 1.

Mr Jones said the site was used as spot for public sex, although he accepted there was no sexual motive in Mr Pragnell’s murder.

After killing Mr Pragnell, Scott then stole his Mercedes, which he told police he sold to drug dealers, as well as bank cards, and even returned a day later to steal a ring off Mr Pragnell’s body – a details Judge Keith Cutler described as “chilling”.

Mr Jones said after the murder, he met with "associates" and was captured on CCTV "appearing in a jovial mood".

"They appeared to laugh and joke together," he added.

The court also heard how Scott handed himself in to police and admitted to the killing, as well as giving them the location of Mr Pragnell’s remains. He was unaware at the time that police had already recovered the body.

During a previous hearing at Winchester Crown Court, Scott, of no fixed abode, also admitted breaching a suspended sentence by failing to comply with his sex offender requirements.

Mr Jones told the court yesterday how Scott had 29 previous convictions, significantly one in 2003 for robbery and indecent assault. Mr Jones said Scott had met a man at Southampton Common and assaulted him with a shoe lace while demanding sex. He then stole the victim’s car.

Mr Jones described the similarities between that offence and Mr Pragnell’s murder as “striking”.

The court heard Scott has previously been treated by mental health services for "mixed personality disorder" and spent a stint in Broadmoor Hospital.

Matthew Jewell QC, mitigating, added at the time of the murder "he was a very heavy user of Class A drugs and was homeless".

Throughout the hearing Mr Pragnell’s family sat in the court while victim impacts statements were read aloud.

In those, his family paid tribute to him. Mr Pragnell’s partner Martin Speed said since the murder, he had tried to take his own life: “I’m devastated and heartbroken... I feel I have no reason to live.”

His daughter Emma stood up in court and added: “My son is five years old and tells me he misses his grandad.

“My dad was not only a dad to me, he was a mum and a best friend.

"Dad was caring, thoughtful and selfless."

Speaking after the sentencing his family also said: “Tommy Scott’s actions have resulted in our dad never getting to spend another day with his grandson, his children, his partner and extensive network of family and friends. The sentence for what he did to our dad will never be enough."

Jailing Scott, Judge Cutler stressed that although he must serve at least 27 years, “you may never be released”.

Speaking after the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Dave Morgan said: “Our thoughts are with the family of Mr Pragnell on this very difficult day.

“Having spent time with Mr Pragnell’s family and having heard their moving statements in court today, it is clear that he was a much-loved man and his sudden death has had a devastating impact on them.

“Today’s sentence, following Scott’s guilty plea at the earliest opportunity, is a testament to the determination and professionalism of my investigation team who have worked tirelessly to get justice for them.”