In a chilling incident, a woman was seen casually smoking a cigarette after being apprehended for fatally stabbing her elderly neighbor over an unsettled £60 debt.
The perpetrator, Brenda Heslop, attacked John Hardy, 68, with a kitchen knife in a vicious assault on the streets of Elswick, Newcastle, last November. Hardy sustained multiple stab wounds before seeking help from a friend, where he later succumbed to his injuries despite paramedics’ efforts.
Heslop was confronted by the police at her residence, and bodycam footage captured the moment she was informed of her arrest for murder. While smoking a cigarette, she callously expressed disbelief at Hardy’s death, claiming she only intended to intimidate him into repaying the owed money, although she eventually confessed to the crime.
Following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, Heslop was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years. The court learned that Heslop had been financially supporting Hardy, who struggled with gambling addiction, but their relationship soured over a repayment dispute.
On the fateful day, Heslop armed herself and confronted Hardy at his doorstep, resulting in a fatal altercation that left Hardy with severe injuries. The court heard that Hardy suffered fatal wounds, including one that pierced his lung and damaged his vertebrae.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Atherton described Hardy’s death as one of the cruelest possible ways to die, while his family mourned the loss of their beloved relative and condemned Heslop for her abhorrent actions. They emphasized the lasting impact of the tragedy on their lives and urged the perpetrator to reflect on the devastation caused.
During the court proceedings, William Quinnin, Hardy’s brother-in-law, highlighted Hardy’s resilience and positive outlook despite facing numerous challenges in life. Quinnin praised Hardy’s unwavering commitment to independence and resilience in the face of adversity.
Neighbours also fondly remembered Hardy, describing him as a kind and memorable individual who had a profound impact on their lives with his friendly demeanor and genuine care for others.
At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.