A Newark man has been jailed for 12 years for the manslaughter of 16-year-old Hannah Pearson – described as “a very special girl who touched so many lives” by her family.
Hannah Pearson, from Lincolnshire, was found unconscious at a house on Pierson Street in Newark in the early hours of Saturday, June 24, last year.
She was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre but was pronounced dead shortly after arriving.
James Morton, 24, formerly of Pierson Street, was jailed today (July 20) at Nottingham Crown Court after he was convicted of her manslaughter by a jury the day before.
Morton was found not guilty of her murder.
In a statement issued after Morton’s sentencing, Hannah’s family said: “We would like to thank the barrister Mr Evans, Nottinghamshire Police, the paramedics and the police who tried endlessly to save Hannah.
“We’d also like to thank family and friends and the wider community, all of whom have showed us care and compassion at this very sad time.
“When our daughter Hannah went out on that Saturday night, the last thing you would expect is a knock on the door from the police telling us that Hannah had been killed.
“At that moment our lives as a family changed forever. Gone was the laughter, the music in the house, the fun and joy she brought to our lives.
“We are left with darkness, sadness and a loss from which we will never recover.
“Hannah’s loss is felt by many. The memories she created for others in her short life will live with those forever. She will be missed eternally but her legacy will live on.”
On July 23, 2016, Morton had been socialising with friends during the day in the centre of Lincoln when he met Hannah.
She was out celebrating with her boyfriend for his 19th birthday.
The group gathered in an area close to the town centre and also visited a pub before they went their separate ways.
Hannah had agreed to meet her boyfriend the following day and arranged to go with Morton to his parents’ home in Newark to hang out.
They took the train and from Newark Train Station, caught a taxi and began drinking when they arrived at the empty house, as Morton’s parents had left to go on holiday.
At some point during the night Hannah was led to bed by Morton who got into bed with her.
Notts Police said they received a call from Morton at around 12.11am on July 24, who said he had killed someone.
Officers said they rushed to the scene and began CPR on Hannah, who was unresponsive, while they waited for an ambulance to arrive.
But, despite the best efforts of the emergency services, Hannah was pronounced dead.
Speaking after Morton’s sentencing Detective Inspector Justine Wilson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Hannah had put her trust into this man, he took advantage of that trust.
“He showed no remorse whatsoever. I can only describe him as a cold and calculated individual.
“Mercifully this type of crime is extremely rare, but that is no comfort to Hannah’s friends and family.
“They deserve huge credit for the bravery, patience and dignity they have shown throughout.
“I’d also like to thank the jury for their diligence throughout the trial.”
