Sunderland carer jailed for pensioner murder
A carer has been jailed after being found guilty of the murder of an 88-year-old woman in Sunderland.
Beverley Briggs, 39, also known as Beverley James, of Springwell Road, Sunderland, claimed an intruder had broken in and attacked Harriet Davison.
She denied murder but was found guilty following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court and was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years.
Northumbria Police said it had been a "brutal attack".
Mrs Davison was found at her sheltered care home at Emblehope House on Allendale Road, Farringdon, in July last year.
The cause of death was suffocation but she had suffered multiple injuries including a broken cheekbone and ribs.
Northumbria Police acting Det Ch Insp Christina Barrett said: "This was a brutal attack on a vulnerable elderly woman in her own home.
"Briggs abused her position of trust and care and I am pleased that the jury has returned a guilty verdict and hope that it may come as some comfort to the victim's family and offer them a degree of closure after what has been a difficult time."