Sex Offender Hunted Over Pensioner's Murder

A man described by detectives as a dangerous and violent sex offender has been named as the prime suspect in a nationwide murder hunt.

Graeme Jarman, a 47-year-old former civil servant, is wanted by police investigating the killing of Hexham pensioner Judith Richardson.

Ms Richardson was was killed with a hammer in her own home in Hexham, Northumberland on August 19.

Jarman, who was being monitored by Durham Police after his latest release from prison in 2008, was last seen in Stockton-on-Tees on Friday but has not been back to his home in the Delves Lane area of Consett since August 17.

He is described as articulate, educated and sociable and detectives warn he should not be approached.

The police have released a video of Jarman captured by a camera on board a bus in Stockton on Tees on Friday.

They say he previously lived in the Teesside area, but has a history of offending across the country and could now be anywhere.

The images show the shaven-headed suspect dressed in blue jeans and a light blue polo shirt with a darker collar and carrying a dark jacket.

He is described as being heavily-built, of average height and clean shaven.

Officers reported him missing when he failed to attend court on a shoplifting charge.

"We need to find this man without delay," said Detective Chief Superintendent Neil Adamson, head of crime at Northumbria Police.

"We advise people not to approach him but anyone who sees him or believes they know where he is should contact us immediately."

Mr Adamason told Sky News there is no known connection between Jarman and the murdered woman, and his team of detectives does not have a motive for the crime.

Miss Richardson was found dead when her leather handbag was handed in by a member of the public, who found it in a bin outside a charity shop in Clayton Street in Newcastle city centre.

They went to her home and discovered her body. A post-mortem examination indicated the pensioner died from head injuries.

A hammer in a plastic bag was located near her house and confirmed as the murder weapon.

Jarman has been on the run before and is known to be capable of evading arrest for weeks at a time.

In 1988 he was sentenced to seven years in jail for the kidnap and rape of a 17-year old-girl, but was released in 1992.

The following year he was jailed for 15 years for indecent assault and a series of robberies.

He was released after serving nine years and was jailed again the following year for robbing a woman at knife-point.

He served five years of his eight year sentence and had stayed out of trouble until his arrest for shoplifting earlier this month.

Detective Superintendendent Rob Coulson of Durham Police said Jarman has been regularly monitored, with a monthly meeting and interim surveillance.

He told Sky News that Jarman is dangerous because he can be sociable and persuasive.

"His offending history alone makes him a very dangerous man, and that's compounded by the fact that he's articulate, he's educated, he can be sociable when he wants to be," he said

Detectives believe Jarman could be living in a hotel or bed and breakfast accomodation, or with someone he has persuaded to put him up.

:: Anyone with information can call 0191 375 2176 or 03456 043 043 .