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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Alexander McDonald given 30 years for mother's murder | Alexander McDonald given 30 years for mother's murder |
| (about 4 hours 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. |
| Sentencing him, Mr Justice Dingemans said the attack was "an example of the destruction caused by the use of drugs in society". | 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". | 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. | "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. | 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 tight. | |
| After killing her - and after a futile attempt to clean up - he took her bank card and car and fled. But he crashed the car near Tiverton, Devon, and was quickly arrested. | |
| McDonald showed no emotion at the verdict and held his head in his hands as the 30-year jail term was announced. | McDonald showed no emotion at the verdict and held his head in his hands as the 30-year jail term was announced. |
| The judge said after that time had been served there was no guarantee that he would be freed. | The judge said after that time had been served there was no guarantee that he would be freed. |