Last updated at 07:44, Thursday, 05 July 2012

GRAEME Jarman has been found guilty of murdering Hexham pensioner Judith Richardson.

After seven hours' deliberation at Newcastle Crown Court, the jury returned a majority verdict on Wednesday afternoon.

Mrs Richardson (77) was found dead at her home in St Wilfrid's Road in August last year.

Jarman (48) tricked his way into her home, before hitting her over the head with a hammer more than 30 times.

The judge, Mr Justice Openshaw, sentenced Jarman to life imprisonment, with a minimum term of 35 years.  He said this was a most brutal and wicked murder.

After stealing money and jewellery from the house. Jarman fled Hexham on a bus. Police soon named him prime suspect and he was arrested two weeks' later in Filey, North Yorkshire. 

**See Friday's Courant for the full story and background.

First published at 16:01, Wednesday, 04 July 2012
Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk