A DRUG addict who attacked a young woman with a samurai sword then drove over her as she lay dying by the roadside was jailed for life yesterday.

Hugh Penrose smiled as he was told he would have to serve a minimum of 19 years behind bars for the murder of 21-year-old Carie Burns during a party at his home in Consett, County Durham.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how the 37-year-old stabbed his lodger at least four times with the ornamental sword.

One of the wounds ran her through, from her lower back to her neck. But despite suffering horrific wounds, she managed to stagger into the street, where a passerby tried to help her.

Penrose woke a friend to get his car keys and then drove his Ford Mondeo over her body, swerving to make sure he hit her.

He fled and was later captured by police, still brandishing the 18-inch sword, having tried to hijack a bus full of passengers in the village of Craghead, seven miles from the murder scene.

Penrose, an amphetamine addict for 20 years, pleaded guilty to murder at an earlier hearing and was yesterday jailed for life.

The judge recommended he should serve at least 19 years before he could be considered for parole.

Miss Burns' mother, Tracy Wilson, 41, from Kendal, Cumbria, said in an emotional speech: "She was the most beautiful person in the world and did not deserve this. She would always give people the benefit of the doubt and because of her trusting nature, she is gone.

"The 19-year tariff he has been given is unbelievable. Carie would not have been 40 by the time he has done that. It is wrong. It is so wrong."

Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin promised to review the case with the Crown Prosecution Service. They are considering appealing to the Attorney General to have the period of time before he can apply for parole increased.

Miss Burns had moved to County Durham from her home in Kendal, four days before her murder, to start a new life following a string of personal tragedies, including the death of her stepfather.

She found a job at a pub and moved in as a lodger at Penrose's home in Thomas Street, in the town's Blackhill area.

But soon after she moved in, the pair began bickering about a relationship Miss Burns had started with another man, Craig Aston.

Penrose was said to be jealous and it led to a simmering row that ended in violence early on May 12.

Witnesses reported that Penrose shouted "die bitch" as he repeatedly plunged the sword into her body.

One witness, Carl Summerville, told police: "Hugh strutted straight across the room to Carie who was sat on the settee. She seemed scared, she looked very pale and cowered away from him.

"Hugh raised the sword to head height and she flinched backwards and placed her hands over her face. He swung the sword down, striking her to the chest area.

"She screamed in pain, a loud scream as if it really hurt. He then stabbed her twice quickly, once to her stomach and once to her back.

"She was screaming and he just stuck it in her, pulling his right hand back and jabbing forward."

Penrose then attacked Miss Burns with a saucepan, which may have been responsible for a skull fracture she suffered.

Brian Forster QC, prosecuting, told the court that retired bank manager Alan Green found Miss Burns at 6.30am while he was walking his dog.

He said: "He saw what he thought was a pile of old rags lying on the road. He then realised it was a young woman who was bleeding and injured."

As he tried to summon help Mr Green heard a car driving towards them and waved his arms to alert the driver to the woman.

Mr Forster said: "The driver took no notice, he revved up the car and accelerated. He deliberately changed path and he drove towards the young woman who was in the road.

"He deliberately ran her over and he then drove off."

Sally Bradley QC, for Penrose, said her client was suffering from mental health disorders when he carried out the killing.

Recorder of Newcastle Judge David Hodson told Penrose: "There can be no doubt you had the clear intention of killing her."

à Violent past - Page 7