Son jailed for life after killing wealthy father

A “callous” son who murdered his wealthy father before draining his bank accounts during a lavish spending spree was jailed for life yesterday.

Debt-ridden television executive Benjamin Holding, 29, killed 70-year-old Michael Holding by repeatedly bashing his head against the floor at their home near Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland.

The executive was told he would spend at least 15 years behind bars for the crime.

Holding dumped his father’s body head-first in a wheelie bin in the garden shed — where it lay unnoticed for nearly two months.

Less than 90 minutes after the killing on October 13 last year, Holding began to claim his “rightful inheritance” by spending his victim’s money.

Police said he eventually splashed out more than £30,000 (€38,000) during the seven-week spree.

The “plausible” killer tricked the rest of the family into believing his father had gone on holiday.

His scheme unravelled on December 6, 2007, when his wife discovered the pensioner’s bank cards were still being used.

Holding confessed to her and later told police: “Two months ago I had an argument with my father. I killed him and he’s in the shed.”