Patricia Hewitt – Newton Aycliffe

Killer ‘butchered’ Newton Aycliffe woman stabbing her 47 times

A killer who ‘butchered’ her disabled victim when she stabbed her almost 50 times has been detained in a high-security mental hospital.

Patricia Hewitt attacked Angela Lloyd with a knife and scissors while demanding she hand over money to her just hours after being given a suspended prison sentence.

And part of the horrific attack was recorded when the 56-year-old managed to call her care provider shouting for help as she was ‘being stabbed to death’.

The court heard Hewitt did not know Miss Lloyd before the brutal attack.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the 42-year-old was acting erratically following her appearance at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court for assault on August 13, last year.

Hewitt was reported to police after she was stealing wine from Morrisons Daily and trying to enter other people’s homes.

Jolyn Perks, prosecuting, said two PCSO officers responded to the call before locating Hewitt but she refused to take help from them and left the area and headed towards her victim’s home.

He said Miss Lloyd, who suffered from numerous medical conditions, was alone in her home on Bakewell Place when Hewitt let herself into her bungalow.

“At 6.13pm, Angela Lloyd made the first of three calls to care connect, a community alarm service,” he said. “The calls were unclear to the operator.

“On later transcription by the police, she can be heard screaming for help stating she has an intruder in her house and tells the operator that ‘she is being stabbed to death’.”

Mr Perks said a second call was made 20 minutes later and the defendant can be heard shouting ‘f****** b****, where’s your money’.

The final call took place shortly after the defendant can be heard again shouting ‘where’s your money’ and in response the company sent out a member of staff to check on Miss Lloyd who arrived at the same time as her daily carer.

Mr Perks said: “They found her lying on the kitchen floor and there was a significant amount of blood visible. They tried to assist Miss Lloyd, who was laid unresponsive on her side in the kitchen, she had her care connect button in one hand and her prayer beads in the other.”

The court heard how there was bloodstaining throughout the house and the defendant’s grey prison issue top was on the floor.

“The ground floor front window was open and had blood visible on the handle and frame.”

Mr Perks said paramedics were unable to revive Miss Lloyd and she was declared dead at the scene.

He said Hewitt was spotted by members of the public wandering around the streets covered in blood before dumping a jacket in a bin – it was later recovered by police.

Hewitt was eventually arrested when she returned back to her sister’s home while covered in blood.

He sister managed to get her niece to contact the police while she tried to keep her in her garden but she fled when she heard mention of the police.

Officers recovered bloodied trainers which had been abandoned by Hewitt after she was arrested.

Dr Nigel Cooper, a pathologist, discovered at least 47 injuries inflicted with a large knife and scissors.

He said she died as a result of blood loss caused by the multiple injuries she suffered.

Miss Lloyd’s devastated brothers laid bare their pain and suffering when their victim impact statements were read out in court.

Joseph Lloyd said his sister was taken from the family in the ‘most horrific way’ after being unable to defend herself against her attacker.

While Patrick Lloyd said their sister had been ‘butchered’ by Hewitt in the most terrifying way.

Consultant forensic psychiatrists Dr Lois Carey and Dr James Stoddart both recommend that Hewitt is treated in Rampton Hospital due to her mental health diagnosis and continued risk to the public.

Hewitt, of Keats close, Stanley, pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility after being declared fit to plead to the charge.

Rod Hunt, mitigating, said: “Whatever her mental frailties over the months, the defendant has wanted to apologise for her wrongdoing.

“She has insight into the enormity of her actions and she is profoundly affected by it.

“She is not fit to be detained anywhere other than in a very secure hospital setting.”

Judge Jonathan Carroll passed a hospital order which will result in Hewitt being held in Rampton Hospital indefinitely.

He said: “She was a vulnerable woman suffering a number of medical conditions and dependent on a wheelchair with very limited mobility.

“Despite that, she managed to live independently and lived her life to the full.

“She was a religious woman and dedicated her time to local charities contributing as best as she could to her local community.”