Joan Hoggett death: Family urge people with mental health issues to seek help as they thank Sunderland community for support after great-grandmother's killing
The 62-year-old from Grindon was working at the One Stop shop in Sea Road, Fulwell, on the night of Wednesday, September 5, when she was stabbed to death by Ethan Mountain, 19, of Heaton Gardens in South Shields.
Today, a jury at Newcastle Crown Court was directed by a judge to return a verdict of not guilty on the murder charge he faced.
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Hide AdIt came after the Crown Prosecution Service took the decision following evidence given by an expert, that it was likely Mountain was of diminished responsibility during the attack.
Michelle Young, the daughter of Mrs Hoggett, read out a statement following the court case today.
She said: "We would like to take this opportunity to express our thanks to the emergency services and the police who quickly attended to my mam.