Addict who slit grandmother's throat on Christmas Day gets life

Amanda Nicoll repeatedly stabbed Hannah Smith during an assault at the pensioner's home in Glasgow.

Nicoll returned to the dock after earlier admitting to Mrs Smith's murder on 25 December 2009. The High Court in Glasgow was told yesterday that the 29-year-old had "feelings of hate" towards the pensioner, who blamed her for her daughter's death.

Judge Lord Turnbull ordered Nicoll must serve at least 16 years behind bars. He told her: "What you did is almost beyond belief. The brutality of events is quite extraordinary."

Mrs Smith's sister, Marion Pollock, 66, later said she was satisfied with the jail term but hoped Nicoll was never freed.

She added: "We have all had hard lives and never even thought about doing what she did. She is blaming other people for how she turned out. It's rubbish. She should be locked up for the rest of her life."

The court was earlier told how Nicoll had been friends with Mrs Smith's daughter, Tracy Currie, before she died from a drugs overdose.

Nicoll still continued to visit Mrs Smith to ask her for money - despite knowing Mrs Smith blamed her for the death.

At about 10pm on Christmas Day 2009, Nicoll had gone to see her father at the flats where the victim lived in Soutra Place, Cranhill. She had taken a large quantity of drink and drugs.

Prosecutor Iain McSporran said Nicoll then decided to visit the pensioner. Mrs Smith allowed her in but then told her to get out, screaming she was "nothing but a junkie".

Nicoll then grabbed a knife and attacked Mrs Smith, cutting her throat. She then cut her throat a second time and stabbed her repeatedly.

"She said that she was angry and related this anger to the fact that Hannah Smith blamed her for her daughter's death," Mr McSporran said.

Nicoll fled from the flat and Mrs Smith was found dead three days later.

Nicoll, of the city's Lambhill, was arrested after one of Mrs Smith's neighbours told police she had spotted her going into the victim's home. Nicoll was found to have Mrs Smith's blood on her clothes and trainers.

The pensioner was found to suffered a total of 45 stab wounds.The largest - under her throat - was the cause of death.

Mr McSporran said the injuries pointed to "a frenzied attack which much have continued well after the victim had been immobilised - even beyond the point at which she was clearly dead".

The court was yesterday told that Nicoll had spoken of "feelings of hate" towards Mrs Smith.

Brian McConnachie, defending, told how Nicoll had turned to drink and drugs at an early age after falling pregnant at 15.

The QC said: "She has said she cannot see any proper punishment for the offence other than her own life being taken."

Lord Turnbull told Nicoll that the jail term would have been 18 years but for the guilty plea.