Man jailed for life murdering homeless friend in Blackpool

A Blackpool man has been jailed for life for murdering a woman after offering her a place to stay.

Alexander Hindley, 35, murdered Alison Dodds, 51, at his home on Redcar Road, Blackpool, in September last year.

On the morning of 21 September 2023 social workers, who had called at the address to see Ms Dodds, found her body beneath a pile of blankets and duvets.

Hindley arrived at the property before police arrived, but the social workers refused him entry.

Ms Dodds had been subjected to a violent and sustained assault. A postmortem concluded that the cause of death was strangulation, smothering and blunt chest trauma.

Hindley was arrested in Cleveleys three days later. He made no comment in police interview.

When officers examined CCTV it showed Ms Dodds enter the address at 4.30pm on Wednesday 20 September and not leave again. 

Hindley was the only person to be seen coming and going from the property after the time she entered the house and before her body was discovered.

In February this year, Hindley pleaded guilty to her murder. Today he has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years and eight months.

Keith Rennison, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: "This is a deeply distressing case whereby a woman, who was vulnerable due to experiencing housing issues, was brutally attacked by someone she trusted after being offered a safe place to stay.

"Alexander Hindley has shown no remorse for his violent actions. But today he must face up to the consequences of what he has done.

"Our thoughts and sincere sympathies are with Alison Dodds' family and loved ones as they continue to deal with the devastating events that took place. We hope that they will see that as Hindley begins this prison sentence justice has been served."