This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-65926883

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Michelle Hanson murder: Alexander Carr jailed for 19 years Michelle Hanson murder: Alexander Carr jailed for 19 years
(32 minutes later)
Michelle Hanson was found dead at her home on 3 DecemberMichelle Hanson was found dead at her home on 3 December
A student who went on the run after murdering a grandmother has been jailed for at least 19 years and three months. A student who went on the run after brutally murdering a grandmother has been jailed for more than 19 years.
Alexander Carr, 33, brutally killed Michelle Hanson in Sunderland and was found living in a tent in London after an 18-day manhunt. Alexander Carr, 33, stabbed Michelle Hanson 29 times in Sunderland and was arrested while living in a tent in London following an 18-day manhunt.
Ms Hanson, 47, was stabbed 29 times at her home in Brady Street and she was found by her teenage son on 3 December. Mother-of-five Ms Hanson, 47, was found dead at her home in Brady Street by a family member on 3 December.
Carr was sentenced to life with a minimum term at Newcastle Crown Court after admitting murder. Carr was sentenced to a minimum term of 19 years and three months at Newcastle Crown Court .
Alexander Carr admitted murdering Michelle HansonAlexander Carr admitted murdering Michelle Hanson
A nationwide search was launched for Carr after Ms Hanson, a mother of five, was found dead at her home by her 15-year-old son. A nationwide search was launched the University of Sunderland student after Ms Hanson was found dead.
Police discovered Carr, a University of Sunderland student, living in a tent on a railway embankment near Upper Holloway Train Station in north Islington, London. Police discovered him living in a tent on a railway embankment near Upper Holloway railway station in north Islington, London.
Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch KC told the court Ms Hanson was last seen alive on the night of 1 December.Prosecutor Dafydd Enoch KC told the court Ms Hanson was last seen alive on the night of 1 December.
Her teenage son had gone round to her flat and seen her with a man, later identified as Carr. Her family relative went to her flat and saw her with a man, later identified as Carr.
Mr Enoch said the man was "acting nuts" and talking in accents while Ms Hanson, who had been drinking, was in "very good humour".Mr Enoch said the man was "acting nuts" and talking in accents while Ms Hanson, who had been drinking, was in "very good humour".
She was "laughing and cuddling" up to the man, who she appeared to be attracted to, he said.She was "laughing and cuddling" up to the man, who she appeared to be attracted to, he said.
At about 01:20 on 2 December, Carr was seen on CCTV leaving Brady Street. Ms Hanson's body was found in her blood-spattered living room the following day.At about 01:20 on 2 December, Carr was seen on CCTV leaving Brady Street. Ms Hanson's body was found in her blood-spattered living room the following day.
Mr Enoch said it was clear to police she had been subjected to a "vicious, violent attack" after which her killer had fled through a bathroom window. Mr Enoch said it was clear she had been subjected to a "vicious, violent attack" after which her killer fled through a bathroom window.
Michelle Hanson's family said she was kind and would help anyoneMichelle Hanson's family said she was kind and would help anyone
A large knife was found under her body and a broken plate beside her head with porcelain fragments in her hair.A large knife was found under her body and a broken plate beside her head with porcelain fragments in her hair.
The court heard she had been stabbed 29 times in the scalp, face and neck, suffered multiple blunt force injuries such as being punched or slapped and had "no opportunity to defend herself". The court heard she had been stabbed 29 times in the scalp, face and neck, suffered multiple blunt force injuries and had "no opportunity to defend herself".
When police went to Carr's home he was not there but they found a jacket heavily stained with Ms Hanson's blood, the court heard.When police went to Carr's home he was not there but they found a jacket heavily stained with Ms Hanson's blood, the court heard.
He initially put up a violent struggle when he was arrested in his tent and had to be subdued with a stun gun. He initially put up a violent struggle when he was arrested and had to be subdued with a stun gun.
Two psychiatrists agreed he was "not suffering from any form of underlying psychotic illness" and though he had a "borderline emotional unstable personality disorder", that would not have diminished his responsibility for the killing, the court heard.Two psychiatrists agreed he was "not suffering from any form of underlying psychotic illness" and though he had a "borderline emotional unstable personality disorder", that would not have diminished his responsibility for the killing, the court heard.
'Evil monster''Evil monster'
Mr Enoch said Carr was heavily under the influence of drugs when he killed, but the fact he fled meant he "knew perfectly well what he had done".Mr Enoch said Carr was heavily under the influence of drugs when he killed, but the fact he fled meant he "knew perfectly well what he had done".
The court heard Carr had 29 convictions including for multiple violent offences such as a hammer attack on a man in London for which he was jailed for three and a half years in 2010.The court heard Carr had 29 convictions including for multiple violent offences such as a hammer attack on a man in London for which he was jailed for three and a half years in 2010.
He kept his head bowed as Ms Hanson's daughter Shannon Brown and sister Angela Kelly read out emotional statements.He kept his head bowed as Ms Hanson's daughter Shannon Brown and sister Angela Kelly read out emotional statements.
Ms Brown said Carr was "evil" and a "monster" while her mother was "defenceless" after welcoming him into her home.Ms Brown said Carr was "evil" and a "monster" while her mother was "defenceless" after welcoming him into her home.
She said her mother was a "kind and caring woman with a huge heart, infectious smile and brilliant sense of humour".She said her mother was a "kind and caring woman with a huge heart, infectious smile and brilliant sense of humour".
Ms Brown said: "She was always vulnerable to people taking advantage of her.Ms Brown said: "She was always vulnerable to people taking advantage of her.
"She would never hurt anyone, even if someone did something to her she would forgive them because she always saw the good in people.""She would never hurt anyone, even if someone did something to her she would forgive them because she always saw the good in people."
Michelle Hanson always saw the good in people, her family said
Nicholas Lumley KC, representing Carr, said the killer had had a history of mental health problems and was "not functioning as a normal person" at the time of the attack.
He said his client's family was "at a loss" to explain why he had killed and Carr was "shocked and devastated" by his own actions.
Mr Lumley said Carr took "full responsibility for bad lifestyle choices" which led to him "being so out of control that night".
He said his client wished he had "tried harder to seek help rather than self-medicating" with drugs and alcohol.
Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
Related TopicsRelated Topics
SunderlandSunderland