Monster who went on the run after murdering 'much-loved' gran is jailed for life
A mature student who went on the run after stabbing a grandmother in the neck has been sentenced to life with a minimum term of 19 years and three months.
Alexander Carr, 33, admit murdering much-loved grandmother Michelle Hanson in late November or early December.
The 47-year-old was found dead at her home in Sunderland, having let Carr in to socialise, he repaid her trust and kindness by savagely killing her - using a knife on his defenceless victim 29 times, squeezing her neck and hitting her
An appeal was made to find Carr and he was arrested 18 days later in Islington, north London, armed with a hunting knife.
He had been living in a tent pitched on an embankment near Upper Holloway railway station.
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Carr was named as the prime suspect as he was the last person to be seen with the mother-of-three at her flat, where investigators found discarded knives and forensic evidence linked to the defendant.
Michelle Hanson was stabbed in the neck (PA)
Shannon Brown appealed for help to trace her mum's killer (PA)He was a student at the University of Sunderland, is from Wearside, and had links to London and several parts of the North East.
During the search for him, police said he was thought to have some survival skills and could have been hiding outdoors.
Ms Hanson's daughter, Shannon Brown, fought back tears as she read a victim impact statement from the witness box at Newcastle Crown Court.
She said: "Our lives changed forever when my mam was taken from us in such a vicious and mindless way. I believe her last moments would have been spent in fear.
"To think she welcomed this evil person into her house as a friend is unbearable."
She added that information about the injuries will "haunt me forever" and branded Carr a "coward" for running away.
She added: "The monster who took her life did not want to take responsibility for his hideous actions. He has shown no remorse at all.
"My mam was a kind and caring woman with a huge heart. She had an infectious smile and a brilliant sense of humour. She was a character but also vulnerable to people taking advantage of her.
"We all feel lost without her. She was my rock and didn't even know it.
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"Not a day goes by we don't have her in our thoughts. We all suffer nightmares about the inhuman way in which my man has been taken.
"I know my mam loved us all very much and it would break her heart to see us all hurting. My daughter has cruelly had her nana taken from her.
"My mam loved her so much. She's been told the naughty man has stabbed her nana and knows he is in jail.
"We will never come to terms with how my man has been taken from us in such a cruel and callous way."
Killer Alexander Carr (PA)
He was spotted on CCTV (PA)Speaking about the case detective chief inspector Graeme Barr said: “Firstly I would like to praise the bravery and strength shown by Michelle’s family throughout these proceedings.
“Not only have they had to come to terms with the tragic loss of their mam and grandmother, but they also played a role in helping us to locate Carr, who was desperately trying to evade arrest.
“His despicable actions speak volumes.
“Carr murdered Michelle and then fled down south and went into hiding so he could not be held accountable.
“That arrogance and lack of remorse has been difficult for Michelle’s family to come to terms with, and we are thankful he is now behind bars, facing a life sentence for his actions.
“We know nothing can bring Michelle back but we hope today can serve as the first step towards the closure her family deserve.
“No one should have to lose a loved one in such horrific circumstances and as a force, we are committed to tackling all types of violence, and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The court heard Carr has 29 previous convictions, including for wounding with intent in 2010 and assaults involving the use of knives.
Nicholas Lumley KC, defending, said Carr had a history of mental health issues, including a personality disorder and had had periods of psychosis.
He added: "He was not functioning as a normal person at the time and had not been for some time."
Mr Lumley said Carr is "shocked and devastated" and unable to come to terms with the fact he killed someone.
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