Man appears in court charged with murder following Michelle Hanson death in Sunderland

Ms Hanson was found on Brady Street with injuries consistent with having been caused by a bladed article. Credit: Northumbria Police

A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of a woman in Sunderland.

Alexander Carr of Wilfred Road, Sunderland, appeared at Newcastle Crown Court on 23 December 2022.

He is also charged with possession of a bladed article, namely a hunting knife, and was arrested in Islington, north London, on Wednesday 21 December 2022.

Police found the body of grandmother Michelle Hanson inside a home in Brady Street, Sunderland, shortly before 12.30pm on 2 December 2022.

Ms Hanson suffered multiple stab or slash-like wounds, Northumbria Police said.

The judge remanded him in custody to appear before the same court on 20 January 2023 for a plea hearing.

Carr will attend the court via a video link.

Earlier, Detective Chief Inspector Graeme Barr, of Northumbria Police, said: "Our thoughts very much remain with Michelle's family at this time.

"We will continue to offer them support and I would ask that their privacy is respected.

"The loss of a loved one is devastating at any time but it is even more poignant at this time of year."

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