Jarman Charged Over Hexham Murder

A 47-year-old man's been charged with murdering a 77-year-old pensioner who was battered with a hammer in her own home in Northumberland.

Graeme Jarman, of Greenways, Delves Lane, Consett, County Durham, will appear in court on Wednesday.

He was arrested following a nationwide manhunt after the discovery of Judith Richardson's body in the hallway of her home in Hexham, Northumberland, on August 19th

Miss Richardson never married and lived alone in a stone-built terraced home in St Wilfrid's Road on the outskirts of the bustling market town.

Her handbag was found dumped in a bin 25 miles away in Newcastle and officers believing they were dealing with a case of lost property or theft arrived at her home to find her body.

A post mortem examination revealed she died from head injuries and a hammer was found nearby.