Benjamin Atkins, 49, was told the violence he inflicted on Mr Shotton was “ferocious and unnecessary” and would have caused “unbearable pain”.
Atkins’ girlfriend Debbie Pereira was sentenced to four years in prison for her involvement, after being described as a “co-participant in what happened” to Mr Shotton’s body after the murder.
As reported, Atkins killed Mr Shotton during a fight on August 18, 2023, before dismembering his body and throwing the parts around Boscombe.
Although most of the remains were discovered in the weeks that followed, Atkins refused to reveal the location of Mr Shotton’s head until February this year.
To date, only fragments of the skull have been recovered.
Read more: Detective opens up about Boscombe ‘body parts’ murder investigation
During a six-week trial at Winchester Crown Court, it emerged that Pereira allowed Atkins to dismember Mr Shotton at their Aylesbury Road flat and took “active steps” to help him dispose of the evidence.
She was found guilty of perverting the course of justice by a unanimous verdict, but not guilty of murder.
Midway through the trial, Pereira pleaded guilty to preventing the burial of a corpse – a charge she had previously denied.
Simon Shotton (Image: Dorset Police)
Atkins was convicted of murder by a majority jury, after previously admitting charges of perverting the course of justice and preventing the burial of a body.
The couple was sentenced on Friday July 26.
Mr Justice Stacey told Atkins he had displayed “extreme violence” which was “totally disproportionate” to the threat posed by Mr Shotton during the fight.
She said: “He received several knife wounds to his arms and hands as he tried to defend himself and he had 12 stab wounds to his torso, shoulder and back.
“You admitted that the fatal blows that killed Simon were inflicted while you were on top of him and that you had repeatedly smashed his head with a loudspeaker, after gouging out his eye with your thumb. He posed no threat to you at that stage, as you well knew.”
Addressing Pereira, the Honourable Justice Stacey said: “You [and Atkins] They were together before and after Mr. Atkins killed Simon.
“Without your help, Mr. Atkins could not have done what he did. You could have called the police at any time.”
Following the sentencing hearing, Mr Shotton’s family released the following statement: “The entire family of Simon James Shotton would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in our son’s case.
“I also want to thank the jury, who had to consider some very unpleasant evidence. Thank you all.
“A special thank you also to our Family Liaison Officers, Liz and George, who have been there for us throughout the process. Your support has been a huge help to all of us.
“There will be no further comment from the family.”
