Killer sentenced to life in prison

A killer has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of a much-loved Gateshead mother.

Just before midnight on August 21, police detained a man after receiving reports that he had boarded a bus in possession of a meat cleaver.

This led officers to search an address on Sunderland Road in Gateshead where, sadly, the body of 57-year-old Eve McIntyre was found. 

An investigation was immediately launched and the man – John Baldwin – was arrested and subsequently charged with murder.

Baldwin, of Sunderland Road, pleaded guilty to murder at Newcastle Crown Court on Monday January 27.

On Thursday January 30, the 42-year-old was sentenced to life in prison, with a recommendation that he serve a minimum of 18 years and 162 days.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Steel, the Senior Investigating Officer in the case, said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Eve, who have shown great strength and dignity throughout this investigation.

"The attack on Eve was a violent and sustained, which has shocked and appalled those who have seen the evidence in this case. 

“Since the outset, our priority has been to get Eve’s family the answers they deserve – and ultimately, ensure the person responsible for her death is rightly brought to justice.

“The offender in this case attempted to escape justice by fleeing the scene and discarding the weapon.

“The outstanding work of the investigation team left him with no choice but to accept responsibility for his actions at court on what should have been the first day of trial.”

Det Ch Insp Steel added: “There is absolutely no justification for the course of events which has robbed Eve’s family of their loved one.

“While we understand no amount of sentence will ever replace her loss, we hope this outcome will provide Eve’s family with a chance to grieve and begin rebuilding from this awful period in their lives.”

In a statement read out at court, Eve’s daughter Ashton Ions, said: “I am heartbroken. This was my mam and I loved her deeply.

“She was a human being. No one should have to suffer the way she did.

“It keeps me awake at night and the unanswered questions torture me.

“I am not the happy, fun person I used to be. I am the daughter of a woman that was murdered.

“I cannot imagine what my life will be like going forward without my mam in it.”