Blackpool man who murdered homeless friend jailed

Alexander Hindley was jailed for at least 16 years and eight months

A man who admitted murdering a homeless friend after offering her a place to stay has been jailed for life.

Alison Dodds, 51, was found with serious injuries at Alexander Hindley's flat on Redcar Road, Blackpool, on 21 September.

A post mortem examination found Ms Dodds died of strangulation, smothering and blunt chest trauma, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Hindley, 35, was jailed for at least 16 years eight months.

A post-mortem examination found Alison Dodds died of multiple injuries including strangulation

The CPS said social workers who called at the flat to see Ms Dodds found her body beneath a pile of blankets and duvets on the morning of 21 September.

It added Ms Dodds had suffered a "violent and sustained assault".

Hindley had arrived at the property before police arrived, but the social workers refused him entry, the CPS said.

Hindley was arrested in Cleveleys three days later, and made no comment in a police interview.

CCTV showed Ms Dodds enter the property at 16:30 on 20 September and not leave again.

Hindley was the only person to be seen coming and going from the flat after the time she entered the house and before her body was discovered.

Keith Rennison, of the CPS, said after sentencing at Preston Crown Court: "This is a deeply distressing case whereby a woman, who was vulnerable due to experiencing housing issues, was brutally attacked by someone she trusted after being offered a safe place to stay.

"Alexander Hindley has shown no remorse for his violent actions but today he must face up to the consequences of what he has done."