July 20, 2017 9.42 am This story is over 80 months old

Man found guilty of manslaughter after strangling Lincolnshire teen

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of 16-year-old Lincolnshire girl Hannah Pearson. James Morton, 24, formerly of Pierson Street, Newark was convicted by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, July 19. He was found not guilty of murder. Morton told the court that he and Hannah had began kissing after…
James Morton was found guilty of the manslaughter of Lincolnshire teen Hannah Pearson

A man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of 16-year-old Lincolnshire girl Hannah Pearson.

James Morton, 24, formerly of Pierson Street, Newark was convicted by a jury at Nottingham Crown Court on Wednesday, July 19.

He was found not guilty of murder.

Morton told the court that he and Hannah had began kissing after he got into bed with her and that she had allowed him to strangle her lightly, describing the pressure as ‘two or three out of ten, before increasing the pressure to around four or five’.

He said he became concerned when he could not hear her breathing.

He had told police that he had previously put his hands around girlfriends’ throats during sex.

Nottinghamshire Police received a call from Morton at 12.11am on July 24, 2016, stating that he had killed someone.

Officers rushed to the scene and began CPR on Hannah, who was unresponsive, while they waited for ambulance to arrive.

Despite the efforts of emergency services Hannah, from Marston near Grantham, was pronounced dead.

Speaking after Morton was convicted, Detective Inspector Justine Wilson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This is a profoundly tragic case where a young girl has lost her life needlessly.

“I can’t pay tribute enough to Hannah’s family for their bravery, patience and dignity throughout this traumatic time.”