Family's heartbreak as Peterborough man jailed for murdering his own mum
The family of a woman murdered by her own son in Peterborough have spoken of their heartbreak at losing a much loved sister, mother and grandmother.
Carmen Coulson (67) was killed by her son Gregory in Longthorpe in February 2025.
On Thursday (June 4) Coulson (32) was given a life sentence – to serve a minimum term of 26 years in prison before he is even eligible to apply for parole.
During the hearing, Huntingdon Crown Court heard from Carmen’s family, many of whom were in court for the sentencing hearing – and had been throughout the trial.
In a statement to the court, her sister Nina said: “I do not want to remember her as a victim. I will treasure the moments that were filled with laughter.”
Diana, another of Carmen’s sisters, said ‘it is hard to put into words the effect of the shock and grief’ the family had suffered, and added: “Our world changed completely in an instant. Even now it is hard to believe it happened.
"She was a grandmother, still working as a teacher. She still had so much to offer the world. “
In a statement from the family, addressing Gregory Coulson, they said: “We hope you can be honest with yourself, and tell the truth about what happened.”
Prosecuting, Peter Glenser KC told the court it was the prosecutions case that Coulson had killed his mum in a bid to gain financially.
The court heard that in the hours before the killing, he had searched for ‘Land registry law’ and ‘does property automatically go to the eldest if parents pass?’
The court was also told Gregory Coulson had a long standing cocaine addiction.
While Ian McLoughlin KC sought to dissuade Judge David Farrell from reaching that conclusion, the Judge said he was sure that Coulson had committed the crime for financial gain.
The court was told Coulson had used a steak knife from the kitchen in the home he shared with his mum in Lingwood Park, Longthorpe., and attacked her as she sat on the sofa watching television.
Judge Farrell said there was pre-meditation in Coulson’s actions. He said: “You hit her on the hear with an object – she tried to escape heading towards the patio doors on the other side of the living room.
"You pursued her and you started to stab her, and you inflicted the fatal wound to her heart… I have no doubt your intention was to kill her.”
The court was told there were some wounds caused to her ankles, wrists and neck caused ‘some time’ after her death – which may have been an attempt to dismember her body.
Coulson, who wore a dark grey tracksuit, listened from the dock – but did not show any outward emotion during the hearing – made confessions to police, both during a 999 call, and in interview.
However, when it came to the trial, he denied the offence, saying a gang of men had invaded the home and carried out the assault.
But the jury at the trial rejected his story, and gave a unanimous guilty verdict.
Passing sentence, Judge Farrell told Coulson: “This sentence is not intended to be a measure of the value of your mother’s life. That is beyond measure.
"Nor can this sentence begin to put right what you did. That is impossible. It cannot be undone.”
Following the sentencing, Judge Farrell paid tribute to the ‘dignity and restraint’ shown by the family throughout the case, as well as to the emergency services and the legal teams for their work.
The sentence means Coulson will not be able to apply for parole for 26 years – and even then, it will be down to the parole board to decide if he is safe to be released.