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Alexander McDonald given 30 years for mother's murder Alexander McDonald given 30 years for mother's murder
(34 minutes later)
A man who strangled and stabbed his mother in a frenzied attack while high on drink and drugs has been jailed for a minimum of 30 years.A man who strangled and stabbed his mother in a frenzied attack while high on drink and drugs has been jailed for a minimum of 30 years.
Alexander McDonald, 27, also sexually assaulted Catherine McDonald, 57, at their home on 30 September 2014.Alexander McDonald, 27, also sexually assaulted Catherine McDonald, 57, at their home on 30 September 2014.
He was found guilty of murder at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday.He was found guilty of murder at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday.
During the trial, jurors heard he stabbed his mother with a kitchen knife, a knitting needle and scissors. Sentencing him, Mr Justice Dingemans said the attack was "an example of the destruction caused by the use of drugs in society".
The court heard McDonald, a waiter, had drunk alcohol at a wine tasting evening at his work before taking cocaine.
He then embarked on a sex texting conversation with a male friend which left him "in a state of sexual excitement".
"I do not doubt that Mr McDonald would have not have acted as he did but for the ingestion of the drugs which disinhibited him," the judge said.
His mother, who had gained a first class honours diploma in textiles, worked as a housekeeper at a care home.
Jurors were told he stabbed her with a kitchen knife, a knitting needle and scissors as she slept in her bed.
He also wrapped a power cable round her neck twice before pulling it taught.He also wrapped a power cable round her neck twice before pulling it taught.
The court was told McDonald had been drinking heavily at a wine tasting event the night before the murder, and had taken cocaine. After killing her he took her bank card and car and fled after a futile attempt to clear up after the brutal killing but crashed the car near Tiverton, Devon, and was quickly arrested.
After killing his mother at their home in Norton Fitzwarren, Somerset., McDonald took her car and drove to Devon, crashing it in Butterleigh. McDonald showed no emotion at the verdict and held his head in his hands as the 30-year jail term was announced.
He walked away from the car into a couple's home and where he was told to leave. The judge said after that time had been served there was no guarantee that he would be freed.
He was later arrested and claimed he had no memory of the attack.