Burglar guilty of murdering 85-year-old in her bungalow

A burglar was convicted today of strangling an 85-year-old woman in her bungalow then torching it to destroy evidence of her murder.

Steven Hodgson, 33, of South Bank, Middlesbrough, was found guilty following a six-day trial at Teesside Crown Court of killing popular church-goer Patricia Thompson last September.

He broke into her home after checking the area of sheltered accommodation where she lived happily on Google Maps.

Mr Justice Davis sentenced him to life with a minimum term of 34 years.

Torturing his victim to make her give up her bank card PIN was an aggravating factor, the judge said.

"I can detect at no stage the slightest degree of remorse on your part at the death of this lovely woman," he said.

The defendant did not react when he was sentenced.