Woman stabbed to death at her home in North Shields

Mar 22 2010 by Robert Weatherall, The Journal

A MAN is due to appear in court today charged with murder. Dennis Long is due to appear before magistrates charged with the murder of a 61-year-old woman.

The woman was stabbed to death at her home in North Shields.

Her identity is due to be officially released today but neighbours named her as care worker Judith Scott.

A post mortem examination carried out by a Home Office pathologist revealed that Ms Scott died as a result of multiple stab wounds.

Police say that they were called to a house in Woolsington Road in the early hours of Sunday.

Paramedics also rushed to the semi-detached home where the woman was pronounced dead.

Neighbours who live in the street, including Ms Scott’s uncle, have paid tribute to her.

The uncle, who didn’t want to be named, said: “The first we knew of it was when we saw the police vans there.

“She has lived in the street for years. She was a lovely woman who was well thought of by everyone. The family just can’t believe what has happened.”

Forensic officers spent much of yesterday going in and out of Ms Scott’s home.

Detectives also spent a number of hours in the street carrying out house to house inquiries.

Another elderly neighbour who has lived on the street for more than 40 years said: “It’s really shocking. We heard lots of banging of doors just after midnight. when we looked out we saw an ambulance and the police.”

The woman, who also didn’t want to be named, said: “We thought that perhaps there might have been a fight on the street between some lads.

“The last thing we expected to hear was that someone had been murdered. I have lived here for more than 40 years and it is usually such a quiet place.

“This is the last thing you would expect to happen.

“Judith was a cheery person who would always say hello to you if she saw you in the street. She has a lot of good friends in the street and her best friend lives just a few doors away. I’m sure she will be devastated.

“We didn’t see a lot of her because she would often work nights. I think she worked in a care home.

“We had the police around asking us questions but they couldn’t really tell us anything.”

Long, 59, of Woolsington Road, will appear at North Tyneside Magistrates;’ Court charged with murder.