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14/09/2009
Gran Killer's Taxi Getaway
The man who murdered a 'defenceless' Teesside grandmother fled the scene in a taxi, police have said.
It is believed the killer kept a taxi waiting outside while he strangled 85-year-old Patricia Thompson, then torched her bungalow.
A man called 'Steven' telephoned for a taxi to collect him from the house on Emma Simpson Court, in Hartburn at around 11pm on 5 September.
Detectives said the man later emerged from the home and told the driver to wait for a couple of minutes.
Officers believe he returned to set fire to the house in order to cover his tracks.
The man, in his mid-20s, was then dropped off at Redcar Road in South Bank.
Detective Superintendent Gordon Lang, of Cleveland Police, said: "We need information about the name Steven - at this stage we do not know if it is the man's real name and it may be an alias.
"This is an extremely positive lead and the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to come together.
"It is now only a matter of time before we track down this evil individual to face the consequences of his actions."
The man is described as white, between 5ft 11in and 6ft tall, of slim to medium build, with gingery brown-coloured hair, a long thin face, a thin nose and light stubble.
He was wearing a light-coloured fleece type jacket, light blue jeans and white trainers.
One of his dark-coloured bags is described as hand luggage that was being wheeled.
(PR/GK)
It is believed the killer kept a taxi waiting outside while he strangled 85-year-old Patricia Thompson, then torched her bungalow.
A man called 'Steven' telephoned for a taxi to collect him from the house on Emma Simpson Court, in Hartburn at around 11pm on 5 September.
Detectives said the man later emerged from the home and told the driver to wait for a couple of minutes.
Officers believe he returned to set fire to the house in order to cover his tracks.
The man, in his mid-20s, was then dropped off at Redcar Road in South Bank.
Detective Superintendent Gordon Lang, of Cleveland Police, said: "We need information about the name Steven - at this stage we do not know if it is the man's real name and it may be an alias.
"This is an extremely positive lead and the pieces of the jigsaw are starting to come together.
"It is now only a matter of time before we track down this evil individual to face the consequences of his actions."
The man is described as white, between 5ft 11in and 6ft tall, of slim to medium build, with gingery brown-coloured hair, a long thin face, a thin nose and light stubble.
He was wearing a light-coloured fleece type jacket, light blue jeans and white trainers.
One of his dark-coloured bags is described as hand luggage that was being wheeled.
(PR/GK)
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Patients prefer better care to faster treatment, report claims
Patients would prefer to wait for better hospital treatment, rather than go to a hospital with shorter waiting lists. A study, conducted by RAND Europe, the King’s Fund and City University, found that patients were more likely to choose to be treated at a hospital with a good reputation rather than one that has shorter waiting times.
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Taxi driver 'garrotted' during Cambridgeshire robbery
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