A man has been jailed for life for brutally stabbing to death an old acquaintance in her own home before stealing items to fund his drug addiction.

Andrew Hall repeatedly stabbed Glenna Siviter before stuffing her body under a sofa where her son found her four days later.

The 47-year-old drug addict, who did not give evidence during his murder trial, was convicted following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court.

Ms Siviter was stabbed more than 30 times when she was brutally attacked by Hall while he was heavily under the influence of drugs.

The 50-year-old's body was discovered by her son, Declan, in her home in Grimwood Avenue, Brambles Farm, Middlesbrough, on Friday, December 15, last year.

Following his conviction, Mr Siviter spoke of the devastation the murder had on his family.

Andrew HallAndrew Hall (Image: Cleveland Police)

Mr Justice Nicholas Lavender sentenced Hall to life for his drug-fuelled violence over a five-day period.

He said: "You launched unprovoked attacks on three of your acquaintances, on each case using a knife or knives, to inflict multiple wounds.

"You killed Ms Siviter in her living room, you attacked Mr Harker as he lay in bed, and you attacked Mr Woodier in his car when it was parked just outside his back door.

"There was no discernible motive for these attacks but I am sure the drugs that you had been taking played a significant role in your conduct."

Hall, of Thorntree Avenue, Middlesbrough, was convicted of Ms Siviter's murder, the attempted murder of Craig Woodier, and wounding with intent of Samuel Harker.

Jurors had heard how Hall and Ms Siviter had been friends since childhood and were "like brother and sister".

Nicholas Lumley KC, mitigating, said the murder was 'spontaneous violence' and was not premeditated.

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During the days following the murder, the defendant carried out two further knife attacks, both on fellow drug users in the Middlesbrough area.

Following the second attack on December 15, Hall commandeered a Honda Jazz vehicle before driving to an address in Barrass Grove, on Brambles Farm, where he was arrested.

Police recovered two knives from the rear footwell of the car, as well as a carrier bag containing passports and a mobile phone which had been taken from Ms Siviter’s house days earlier.

Hall was sentenced to a minimum of 36 years, less the time he has spent on remand, for his friend's murder, attempted murder and wounding with intent.