Ex-stripper serving life dies in prison

Apr 19 2007 By The Journal

A former male stripper and drummer jailed for life for a savage attack on his landlord has died suddenly in Durham's top security Frankland Jail.

Michael Sanson, 40, whose last known address was the YMCA in Clayton Road, Jesmond, Newcastle, collapsed in the jail on April 5 after complaining of chest pains.

A post-mortem examination showed the death to be from natural causes.

He had been jailed for life at Newcastle Crown Court on August 11 last year after pleading guilty to wounding.

The court was told that he had battered Raymond Sanderson with a hammer, strangled him and scalded him with boiling water.

Mr Sanderson suffered weeks of horror at the hands of Sanson, who used the stage name Hunter during his act.

Sanson, who had a history of violence which included an indecent assault on a barmaid, was found guilty of wounding with intent and assault causing actual bodily harm after a three-day trial.

In his earlier life Sanson was reported to be an accomplished session drummer who provided support for established artists including Sting and Gary Numan.

He later lost the use of his right hand after he was scalded in an incident that followed an insulin overdose.

As in all deaths involving prisoners, a jury will attend an inquest into Sanson's death, probably later this year.