Exclusive:Alan Wotton: 'Delusional' Gosport pensioner accused of murder was convinced people thought he was a paedophile

A pensioner accused of murder was convinced that rumours of him being a paedophile turned everyone against him, a court has been told.

Alan Wotton, 83, of Exmouth Road, Gosport, is accused of killing of Andrew Avery, 65, charged with one count of murder and one alternative count of manslaughter. He denies the charges, saying he acted in self-defence.

Mr Avery died after being seriously assaulted at his home in Exmouth Road on November 29, 2024. The house was also set on fire, with Wotton already pleading guilty to one count of arson.

At Portsmouth Crown Court, the jury was told by Dr Paul Beckley, a consultant psychologist, that Wotton has a delusional disorder, which “distorts” his sense of reality.

Wotton, who lived in Hungary before moving back to the UK after his sister’s death, became convinced that neighbours in Hungary thought he was a paedophile, and that the rumours followed him back to Gosport. Wotton was never arrested on, charged with or convicted of any sexual offences.

Dr Beckley said: “He believed that two Hungarian women extrapolated that he was a paedophile; he claimed the story was then shared by an English woman who passed it onto Andrew, who was spreading those rumours.

“When he was transferred to prison, he then said the rumours had reached other prisoners. He talked about having sentinels - people constantly watching his cell. His belief was that those prisoners had been told by Mr Avery that he was a paedophile. When he transferred to a secure hospital, he felt the staff there were also being told these rumours.

“Part of my assessment also looked at interviewing ward staff, who had been looking after him in hospital. They said he continued to present with delusional beliefs, including that a staff member had been banging on his door. They looked at CCTV footage and not only did that not happen, but the staff member in question wasn’t even on shift.”

Wotton’s delusional disorder meant he would hold onto grievances, and was unwilling to see other points of view - to an elevated extent, Dr Beckley added. The psychologist explained how this also meant he lacked empathy, and had “retaliatory tendencies”.

When interviewed by police when he was arrested in 2024, Wotton made reference to these unfounded rumours.

He said: “He [Mr Avery] told everyone I was a child molester, because of what happened in Hungary. They all thought I was watching the children, for nefarious reasons - that’s why everyone in the street, and the supermarket, started ignoring me. He never mentioned it to me, but of course he talked about it.”

When asked what he thought about Mr Avery’s death, Wotton said: “I don’t really care. It’s happened, so I’m not going to worry about it now.”

Wotton has previously been described in court as short-tempered, narcissistic and confrontational. Sarah Jones, representing Wotton, said: “So it sounds like he had a breakdown and became psychotic. He had incorporated Mr Avery into his whole belief system, as his persecutor.

“Is it possible to wholly separate that which relates to historic personality traits, and the delusional disorder?”

Dr Beckley said: “In my opinion, they are all relevant - it affected the way he perceived the situation, and seeing Mr Avery as a threat. But that alone is not enough to explain the offence.

“It’s his personality that affected how he responded to his delusions.”

The court was later told that Wotton’s home in Hungary also burned down in a fire.

(Proceeding)