Woman's wish to teach neighbour a lesson ended in horrifying killing

MURDERER WILL REMAIN IN PRISON UNTIL SHE IS OVER 80 YEARS OLD, JUDGE RULES

- By ROB KENNEDY Court Reporter

Floral tributes and messages paying tribute to John Hardy at Sceptre Place, Elswick, last November

A woman who murdered her vulnerable neighbour to “teach him a lesson” over a £60 debt has been jailed for life.

Brenda Heslop knifed John Hardy to death in the street where they lived while demanding he repay a loan.

“Kind and gentle” John, 68, known as “Limpy John” following a childhood accident, had a gambling habit and would regularly borrow money from neighbours.

But while most treated him with patience and kindness, Heslop was unable to manage his repeated requests and had previously said he was “getting on her nerves” and had warned she would stab him. She carried out that threat in November last year on Sceptre Place, Elswick, after going to his home armed with a knife and lying in wait until he returned.

Now Heslop, 63, has been given a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years. Taking into account time served on remand, she has 19 years and 21 days from today until she has any hope of release.

Passing sentence at Newcastle Crown Court, Judge Edward Bindloss said John is highly likely to have had £50 on him at the time of the stabbing, having just withdrawn it for his friend. But no money was found on him after the murder.