South West England

182 known cases 1993 – 2023

97 investigation reports

In 2023 NHS England published a systems review following five homicides by patients in Devon

DateVictimLocationEventCommentdownload
20 Nov 2023Alison BowenBristolPsychotic man fatally stabbed his wifeDiminished responsibility – Restricted hospital order, Sec 37/41
29 Jul 2023Hazel HugginsPlymouthDelusional and psychotic man with schizophrenia repeatedly and fatally stabbed his motherPrevious violence, Family had been trying to get him help. Diminished responsibility – Hospital order Sec 37/41
27 Jun 2023Lynette NashPortisheadPsychotic man with schizoaffective disorder repeatedly and fatally stabbed his motherDiminished responsibility – Sec 37/41
03 Jun 2023Elizabeth Richings (83)BournemouthDistressed mentally disordered man fatally strangles disabled wife – believing it to be an act of mercyDiminished responsibility – 18 month suspended sentence
07 May 2023Debra CantrellPlymouthMan with schizophrenia fatally stabbed his mother after telling MH staff he would so – misdiagnosis.Convicted of murder – life with 12 years minimum
28 Mar 2023Bernadette RosarioSt AustellPsychotic man with history of violence repeatedly and fatally stabs his motherDiminished reposnisbility – hospital order with restrictions
26 Feb 2023Frederick Burge (89)GlastonburyDeluded man with schizophrenia travels 500 miles from Scotland to repeatedly and fatally stab a strangerDiminished responsibility – indefinite hospital order
18 Feb 2023Lorna EnglandExeterMentally disordered man fatally stabbed a stranger after telling MH staff he would do soConvicted of murder – 28 years
30 Jan 2023Anne Woodbridge (92)Weston-Super-MareMentally disordered man fatally suffocates wife with dementiaDiminished responsibility – two years suspended sentence
06 Jan 2023Beatrice Corry (84)Chipping CamdenMentally ill man repeatedly and fatally batters his motherHad previously threatened family who tried to get him help – Diminished responsibility – Sec 37/41
22 Dec 2022Ryan BrindleyDintonPsychotic man deliberately and fatally drove into motorcyclist at speedDiminished responsibility – Sec 37/41
20 Sept 2022Emma PotterStroudMentally disordered man repeatedly and fatally stabbed acquaintanceConvicted of Murder – Life, minimum 24 years
01 Jul 2022Mohammed NadeemGloucesterMentally disordered man fatally attacks his neighbourUnfit to plead – trial of facts – Sec 37/41 – in Broadmoor
15 Mar 2022Michelle O’NeillCheltenhamParanoid schizophrenic repeatedly and fatally stabbed his motherDiminished responsibility – Hospital Order with restrictions
04 Mar 2022Clive Dowse (85)BodminMan with dementia fatally punches fellow care home residentTrial of Facts – found to have comitted the act
02 Mar 2022Valerie Warrington


Clive Warrington
Bourton on the Water
&
Cheltenham
Paranoid schizophrenic fatally stabs both his parents after absconding from psychiatric unit after attacking anotherLong MH history – Diminished responsibility, Sec 37/41
Sent to Broadmoor
22 Jun 2021Sally PoyntonCrowlasPsychotic man repeatedly and fatally stabbed his mother and wounded his brotherFamily made repeated but unsuccessful efforts to get him help beforehandCoroner’s PFD
29 May 2021Jill Hickery (82)MullionDemented Man fatally stabbed his wifeUnfit to plead – hospital order
25 May 2021Alison StevensonHelstonMentally disordered man repeatedly and fatally stabbed his grandmotherConvicted of Murder – Life – minimum 18 years
27 Dec 2020Nigel JohnstonExmouthMentally disordered woman fatally stabbed her husbandConvicted of Manslaughter – sentenced to 10 years
09 Dec 2020Marta Elena VentoBournemouthParanoid schizophrenic fatally batters young hotel receptionist in extended and brutal assaultRecently released from prison – off meds – diminished responsibilityInquiry Summary
04 Dec 2020Noah, a new born babyWeston Super MareMentally disordered woman causes death of her new born baby by throwing it over the balcony of her flatInfanticide caseSentencing
29 Oct 2020Angela WebberDunsterDelusional man with dementia repeatedly and fatally stabbed his wifeUnfit to Plead – Hospital order with restrictions
25 Oct 2020Rhonda HumphreysHayleMentally ill man repeatedly and fatally stabs neighbour and former partnerDiminished responsibility
08 Oct 2020Stuart HopkinShepton MalletDelusional mentally ill pensioner repeatedly and fatally stabs his neighbourSeen by MH staff previous day but not admitted due to lack of bedsSentencing remarks

Inquiry
22 Sep 2020David Fox (73)FerndownMentally disordered pensioner fatally drives into pedestrianConvicted of Death by Dangerous driving – 30 weeks imprisonment
25 June 2020Paul WellsHighbridgeMentally ill man fatally stabs neighbourDiminished responsibility
19 June 2020Fabio MenegonBournemouthInsane man fatally stabs friend and stabs two others who surviveNot guilty (?!) by reason of insanitySentencing remarks
03 Jan 2020Katherine BevanGittisham, DevonParanoid schizophrenic fatally strangles co-workerLong history of violence & MH problems – Diminished responsibility 
25 Aug 2019Omar RashidGloucesterParanoid mentally ill man fatally stabs acquaintance (later takes his own life in prison)  
09 Jun 2019Peter FreemanNewton AbbottMentally disordered man fatally stabs his fatherTook his own life after killingInquiry
10 May 2019Thomas AbrahamGloucesterParanoid schizophrenic fatally stabs mentally ill man whilst suffering relapseIndefinite hospital order with restrictions 
10 Feb 2019Anthony Payne (80)

Dick Carter (84)

Roger Carter (84)
ExeterParanoid schizophrenic fatally batters elderly strangers with a hammer and spadePrevious inpatient, released twice by police, Dr said not detainable despite violence and talking of unicornsCivil Action 

Inquiry
10 Jan 2019Bashir AbdullahBristolMentally ill and paranoid man repeatedly and fatally stabbed friendHad stopped taking medication two weeks before. 
17 Dec 2018Charles Taylor (82)PooleMentally disordered man fatally battered his step-grandfatherInquiry
03 Aug 2018Lee TurnerBarnstapleParanoid schizophrenic with long history of mental illness fatally stabs complete strangerNot taking Meds, family’s concerns unheededInquiry Summary
19 July 2018Lesley Davies (81)Par, CornwallDemented and psychotic man repeatedly and fatally stamps on partner’s headHospital order with restrictionsDHR Full

DHR Exec Summ 
23 Oct 2017Janet Northmore (76)Derriford Hospital, PlymouthDepressed and mentally ill man kills motherDefendant later kills himself in prison 
06 June 2017Philip RyanHonitonMentally ill man fatally stabs electrician Inquiry
22 Feb 2017Avis ‘Mary’ Addison (88)St MerrynDemented man fatally batters and smothers vulnerable wife Domestic Homicide/ Safeguarding Adults Review 

Learning Briefing
13 Feb 2017Karina Guimaraes BatistaBristolDeluded mentally ill man fatally stabs wife  
17 Dec 2016Gary MillerPlymouthMentally ill man fatally batters friend around the head Inquiry
14 Aug
2016
Ryan MernaPooleMentally ill man repeatedly & fatally stabs vulnerable former friendPrevious warnings of violenceInquiry

Supplementary report

Inquest PFD
7 July 2016Kamil AhmadBristolParanoid schizophrenic with history of violence fatally stabs and mutilates refugeePrevious Rampton patient – released by Tribunal day beforeInquiry

Case review
02 Mar 2016Dawn GreenNewquayDepressed man fatally strangles wife then kills himself Inquiry Report
29 Dec 2015Michael HornerNewlynParanoid schizophrenic sabotages disabled mans’s boiler causing death by carbon monoxide poisoning  
26 Nov 2015Alexander CusworthHMP DartmoorMentally disordered prisoner with history of violence fatally stabs fellow prisoner PPO Investigation
12 Aug 2015Marc HastingsNewentMentally disordered woman fatally stabbed partnerDiminished responsibility – jailed for 7.25 years
4 Jul 2015Tracey BakerChardMentally ill man bludgeons ex-wife to death with a hammerTook his own life afterwardsInquiry
9 Jun 2015Kenneth Tyrer (90)Yeovil hospitalDemented man batters elderly fellow patient who subsequently dies  
26 May 2015Phillip NicholsonBoscombeMentally disordered woman fatally slashes acquaintances’ throat
26 May 2015Elliot HandleyDorchesterMentally ill man fatally batters victim with claw hammer
01 Jan 2015Tanis BhandariPlymouthMentally disordered man under care of CMHT fatally stabs manNumerous multi agency failings – convicted of Murder. Life., mimimum 23 yearsSafeguarding Adults Review
2 Dec 2014Zaani Bevan (new-born)BristolPsychotic woman kills herself and new born baby after failing to take medsCoroner found ‘chain of failures’ in careSCR
3 Nov 2014Valerie DavisonBarnstapleSchizophrenic man fatally punches and stabs his motherPrevious history of serious violenceAppeal
13/16 Oct 2014Melissa MathiesonBristolMentally disordered teenager strangles vulnerable fellow care home residentHistory of MH problems and serious violenceSCR

 

Family statement

19 Sep 2014Newborn BabyBristolMentally ill mother kills new born baby SCR
10 Sep 2014Michael RedpathSwindonMentally disordered woman sets house on fire and locks it killing friend  Inquiry
9 Jul-2014Sharon WallGloucesterPsychiatric patient fatally stabbed care assistant in hospitalHad previously killed twice before – wanted to avoid move to MH unit which was non-smoking with no wi-fi.Inquiry
26 Jun 2014Aulton Tom RogersSwindonSchizophrenic man fatally & repeatedly stabs a strangerPreviously seriously assaulted a woman 
18 Jun 2014Una Dorney (87)YateParanoid schizophrenic fatally battered grandmotherLater battered fellow prisoner – left in vegetative stateDHR (poor)
18 Apr 2014Doreen WebbDurringtonMentally ill man fatally stabs wife DHR Full

 

DHR Summary 

30 Mar 2014Mashael AlbasmanBournemouthPsychotic man repeatedly and fatally stabs daughter  
15 Nov 2013Geraint (Gary) HughesFeockPsychotic woman fatally stabs husbandHistory of deteriorating mental illnessChronology

 

DHR Exec Summ

DHR Full

Inquest PFD

02 Oct 2013Derisa TrenchardCarbis BayMentally ill man bludgeons his wife to death with hammer and kills himselfParanoid depressive illness 
26 Sep 2013Brian KempSidmouthPsychotic man fatally stabs strangerDeteriorating for months beforeInquiry Summary
09 Aug 2013Robert CoxBristolDeluded and psychotic man fatallly stabbed fellow resident of hostelSec 45a case – Serious case & IPCC review dueSCR Summary
06 Aug 2013Mayurathy PerinpamoorthyYeovilMentally ill man repeatedly and fatally stabs female acquaintanceDepression, PTSD & alcohol abuseInquiry 
12 Jul 2013Joshua Patterson (5)HaytorDepressed mother jumped from high rocks with her young son killing them bothOther son found dead at homeSCR
02 Mar 2013Victoria RoseDevizesDepressed mentally ill man shoots ex partner and then himselfHad seen Drs & MH professionals days beforeDomestic Homicide Review

Coroner’s PFD
19 Jan 2013Shaun O’Neill (2)ModburyParanoid schizophrenic fatally strangles then stabs young sonLong MH history, prev. inpatientInquiry
13 Jan 2013Suzanne NewtonMelkshamPsychotic man fatally stabs wife after medication stoppedHistory of mental illnessDomestic Homicide review
17 July 2012Sergio MarquezBournemouthParanoid schizophrenic repeatedly and fatally stabs flatmate and mutilates bodyLondon patient, had absconded from Huntley MH unit months beforeInquiry

Sentencing remarks
21 Jun 2012Mike BithreyBridgwaterMentally ill & deluded man fatally stabs manHad previously attempted to kill wifeInquiry
13 May 2012Alan ClinchLiskeardMentally disordered woman fatally stabs partnerLong history of violence – diminished reponsibility 
17 Mar 2012Gino NelmesBristolParanoid schizophrenic fatally stabs friend 18 times with samurai swordPrev. history of violence; released from secure unit days before assaultInquiry
15 Apr 2011Winston CooperMarnhullMentally ill man fatally attacks father with hammer, knives and secateursPreviously convicted for assaulting father in 2009Domestic Homicide Review
04 Oct 2010Earl SwabyBristolMental Health Patient convicted of manslaughter after fatal stabbingMH historySummary

 

Inquiry

25 Aug 2010Rosemary ArmstrongBournemouthMentally ill woman fatally stabs mother.Later tried to sue MH trust for poor careSummary

InquiryFollow up

Supreme Court judgment

Supreme Court Summary

Court of Appeal
04 Jul 2010Dorothy ShepherdWinchcombeParanoid Schizophrenic fatally stabs grandmotherHistory of prev. violence. V many failings in careInquiry
20 Apr 2010Leo Norris (10 days old)BrixhamMentally ill mother fatally smothers 10 day old babyMH historyPreventable. V many failings in careSerious
Case
Review


Executive
Summary
Inquiry
18 Jan 2010Patricia Philpotts

Ben Philpotts (10)
TrevarrianMentally ill man starts fatal house fire after bludgeoning son and battering wifeLong MH history – previous violence, family concerns. 2012, SCRSerious
Case
Review

Inquiry
16 Dec 2009Ivy HawkenStrete, DevonMentally ill man murders fellow care home resident  
09 Sep 2009Mark PinnellClevedonMH patient fatally stabs aquaintanceMH historyInquiry Exec Summ

 

Inquiry Full

05 Sep
2009
Gordon AckrellPlymouthParanoid schizophrenic fatally battered neighbour after earlier warning he would killLong MH history – warned authorities he would kill
04 Sep 2009Vincent FrancisWellsMH patient fatally stabs friend’s boyfriend 17 timesMH historyInd. Inq. DaleInquiry
01 Jul 2009Sheila IlesBristolMentally ill man fatally stabs motherHeavy drug user 
01 May 2009Sam Riddall (11)BristolMentally ill woman kills schoolboy whilst driving dangerouslyMH history – had been sectioned 4 times in previous year 
26 – 29 Nov 2008Joan Toop

Arthur (Bob) Toop
BournemouthMentally ill woman fatally batters parents  
03 Sep 2008Debra FordBristolPsychotic man fatally batters partner ‘hundred of times’ with lump hammerEligible for parole after three years 
23 Jun 2008Joyce LovellDonhead St Mary, WiltsMentally ill man fatally batters motherPoor practice foundInquiry
08 Jun 2008Ms BCheltenhamMan with history of MH & substance abuse problems kills partnerConvicted of murderInquiry
24 May 2008Alan RiddockBristolMental health patient beats man to deathMH history.Ind inq 2013 HASCASExecutive
Summary

Inquiry
06 May 2008Terrance HallWeston Super MareMental health patient beats neighbour to death in row over washing machineMH history.Ind inq. 2013 HASCASExecutive
Summary

Inquiry
12 Apr 2008Alan ClarkeSalisburyMentally ill man fatally stabs friendDem Resp – hospital order MSUExecutive
Summary

Inquiry
12 Feb 2008Christian PuttockClevedon, AvonMentally ill man fatally stabs strangerLong MH hstory 
07 Jul 2007Robert Crook

Elsie Crook
SwindonMentally ill man fatally batters parents with hammer then drives them to LincolnMany service failingsInquiry
23 Jun 2007Phyllis Deane (70)Shaldon/Torquay DevonParanoid Schizophrenic fatally and repeatedly bludgeons grandmother with hammerIndefinite detention under MHA. Had been discharged – not on meds. Inquiry found killing was preventableInquiry
14 May 2007Brian MarshSwindonMentally ill man in frenzied fatal attack on stepfather, and attacks motherMany failings – Preventable homicideInquiry
08 May 2007William MossNewquaySchizophrenic repeatedly and fatally stabbed friendMany failings – serious incident was ‘foreseeable’Inquiry
29 Apr 2007Ryan Manser (4)ExeterMH patient fatally smothers sonSCR 2008.Later suicide in MH unitSerious
Case
Review
29 Apr 2007Philip HendyBristolPsychotic MH patient fatally stabbed strangerRepeated failingsInquiry
04 Mar 2007Carl JamesSwindonSchizophrenic fatally stabbed friend 6 timesPrev. threatened violence. Mother warned MH servicesInquiry
14 Feb 2007Sharon StokesExmouthMH patient kills woman with brickFamily had tried to get him sectioned beforehandInquiry
10 Feb 2007Robert NewbySticklepathMentally ill man fatally stabs friendDepressive illness, new medication. Victim was also mentally illInquiry
06 Jul 2006Steven HoskinSt. AustellMH patient tortures and murders learning disabled manDrug history – known MH patientSerious
Case
Review

Inquiry
03 Nov 2005Irene Powell (86)StreteDepressed man fatally batters and stabs his wifeClaimed it was a ‘mercy killing’ – but disputed by family. Diminished responsibility.
04 Oct 2005Jeremy DrakeExeterParanoid Scizophrenic beats stranger to death in launderetteOff medication 
07 Jul 2005Iris Middleton

Theo Middleton
Wootten Basset, WiltshirePsychotic batters parents to death with brick (Alcohol)  
26 Nov 2004Lily Burrow (7)Tipton St John, DevonDelusional paranoid schizophrenic drowns 7 year old daughter
23 Nov 2004Maxine PenfoldCullompton, DevonParanoid Schizophrenic fatally and repeatedly stabbed motherInd Inq 2006. Found poor records and teamwork. Mother sought help two weeks before incidentInquiry
12 Nov 2004Bernard JamesBristolMentally ill man starts fire that kills disabled landlordLong MH history with LD 
20 May 2004Ben WilliamsPenrynMentally disordered teenager beats best friend to death with a pool cueDiminished responsibilityCourt of Appeal
08 Nov 2003Joan Roddam (74)Delabole, CornwallParanoid schizophrenic fatally strangled pensionerDiminished responsibility after murder conviction overturnedAppeal
18 Oct 2003Flo SeccombePlymouthPsychotic killed sleeping pensioner (stranger) by single stab to neckPrevious history of MH problems, Paranoid, previously violent but month before MH concluded not in need of psych care. 
03 Sep 2003Marjorie Davies (92)Upleadon, GlosMentally disordered man rapes and strangles his great grandmotherMH history 
29 Aug 2003Eric Hingston (83)PlymouthMentally disordered and depressed woman fatally stabbed elderly husbandDiminished responsibility – oldest woman convicted in GB
14 Jun 2003Jennifer SheppardBristolMentally disordered man fatally batters his mother leaving her unrecognisableInd Inq commissioned but never published 
20 May 2003Lyn GrantLondonMentally ill man strangles wife in London then returns to Cornwall to kill himselfInd Inq, 2005Internal
Report

Inquiry
27 Feb 2003Joyce Holden (78)BristolMan with dementia fatally batters fellow care home resident  
03 Jan 2003Mario Pedro

Rui Garrido
BristolParanoid schizophrenic fatally and repeatedly stabs housemates  
12 May 2002Roy WarnesPlymouthPsychiatric patient kills neighbourInd Inq 2004 found failings. Previous InpatientInquiry
27 Mar 2002Adelaide HowardWinterbourne, BristolParanoid schizophrenic fatally stabbed elderly neighbour 42 timesInd Inq 2006 found many failingsInuqiry
17 Feb 2002Ann ObrayThe Lizard, CornwallPsychotic man fatally and repeatedly stabbed wifeInd Inq 2004 found catalogue of errors. Previous attempts to harm wife. Stopped meds 2 days before.Inquiry
29 Aug 2001Shirley Cotton-BetteridgeBristolPsychopath fatally stabbed barmaid 40 timesPrevious violence. Broadmoor 
09 Dec 2000James GavaghanWoodleigh, KingsbridgeMentally ill man fatally shot neighbour twiceDiminished responsibility 
21 Nov 2000Laura Tait (3 mths)Mere, WiltsPost-natally depressed woman fatally smothers baby daughterInfanticide – 3 year community rehabilitation order
14 Nov 2000Tammy LittleHayle Toans, CornwallParanoid schizophrenic strangles partnerInd Inq 2003 found serious failingsInquiry
29 Sept 2000Adelaide Fairey (86)CheltenhamDepressed man battered wife to death with a hammer  
28 Apr 2000Carol Trethewey (Mrs S)St Austell, CornwallDepressive repeatedly and fatally stabbed wifeInd Inq 2003, failings in care,got 3 yrs probationInquiry
18 Apr 2000Donna SmartShepton MalletMH homicide of wife (alc)Ind Inq 2001Inquiry
28 Jan 2000Andrew PenningtonCheltenhamPsychotic fatally and repeatedly stabbed councillor with samurai sword  
19 Jan 2000David Glassenbury (6 mnths)BristolSchizophrenic with autism fatally and repeatedly stabs baby brother (severing one hand)Previous history (later escape & Chepstow rape) 
06 May 1999Michael MartinAlmondsbury,Paranoid schizophrenic kills father with pickaxeInd Inq 2003. Father had repeatedly appealed to MH services for helpInquiry
03 Nov 1998Louisa Wright (84)CheltenhamParanoid schizophrenic fatally battered grandmother to death thinking she was the devilDiminished responsibility
13 Oct 1998Gillian SextonIlton, SomersetDepressed man fatally batters wife with spade & throttles her  
02 Jun 1998William BodleBournemouthMH homicideInd Inq 2002Inquiry
02 Apr 1998Jason HendersonLauncestonDepressed woman fatally stabbed her boyfriendDiminished responsibility – said to be domestic violence related
01 Apr 1998Michelle LockBournemouthMentally disordered man rapes and kills womanInd Inq 2002Inquiry
 
24 Mar 1998Olivia Perkins (2)Minchinhampton, GlosDepressed woman hangs her daughterDiminished responsibility – sentenced to probation for 3 years 
12 Feb 1998Virginia (Ginny) Sivil and unborn babyBathSchizophrenic fatally strangled partner whilst she was in labour with his childInd Inq 2001 13 prev admissions. Prev. violence. Records a mess, No InsightInquiry
27 Jan 1998Lynda YoungHay Tor, DartmoorPsychotic man fatally strangles, stabs and batters wifeNot guilty by reason of insanity
23 Nov 1997Aiyse SullivanDorsetMentally ill man killed girlfriend (PD)Ind Inq 2000Inquiry
29 Oct 1997Peter LewisSomersetMH homicide of partner after rape and abuse by carersInd Inq 2000Inquiry
04 Aug 1997Joseph OsmondSalisburyMentally ill man fatally and repeatedly stabbed landlordInd Inq 1999. previously sectioned, then released before killingInquiry
July 1997Frank WestonMidsomer NortonMentally disordered woman with alcohol problems fatally stabbed her husband in the presence of her childrenDiminished responsibility – two years probation with MH treatment
18 Jun 1997Georgina DoyleCold AstonParanoid schizophrenic with delusions repeatedly and fatally stabs his motherNot guilty by reason of insanity
05 Apr 1997Katie Cave (6 mnths)TauntonMentally disordered man fatally throttles baby daughterAlleged Munchausen’s case
20 Feb 1997Tristan Dale (17)SwindonParanoid schizophrenic repeatedly and fatally stabs acquaintanceDiminished responsibility – indefinitely detained
26 Nov 1996Margaret Edgley (73)FerndownMentally ill man fatally smothers his motherInternal Investigation only
07 July 1996Samuel BoonCheltenhamMentally disorderd man fatally stabs fatherDiminished responsibility – five years imprisonment
12 May 1996Gareth BrooksPlymouthMentally disordered man repeatedly and fatally bludgeons neighbour with an axe Diminished responsibility – Life minimum 12 years
07 May 1996Walter CreeceGloucesterParanoid schizophrenic repeatedly and fatally batters elderly neighbour with a hammer (frenzied attack)Later escaped from Fromeside. Later still suicide there 
27 Jan 1996Douglas HolmanCambourneMentally disordered man fatally batters pensionerLong history of violence 
25 Sep 1995John WittsCinderfordMentally ill man fatally stabs brotherInd Inq 1997Inquiry
13 Sept 1995Nathan Beale (20)WarehamMentally ill woman strangled young son believing he was ‘poisoning’ herLong history of MH problems – Inq not published? 
30 Aug 1995Colin BeynonBristolSchizophrenic batters father to death with hammer on home visitInd Inq 1997 found “string of errors”Inquiry
19 Apr 1995Muriel VinerFerndown, DorsetMH patient kills mother with repeated blows from heavy metal disc and commits suicideMH patient repeatedly bludgeons mother then commits suicideInquiry
01 Nov 1994Marjorie MarshallTetburyMentally disordered man fatally stabbed his adoptive mother 30 timesDiminished responsibility – sentenced to three year probation order. His sister was later victim of a MH homicide in 2009
05 Sep 1994Pamela KuhlNailseaMentally disordered man repeatedly and fatally stabbed his wifeDiminished responsibility – 4 years imprisonment
12 Aug 1994David Palmer
&
Anthony King
BournemouthSeriously mentally ill man fatally strangles two menManslaughter – detained indefinitely – sent to Broadmoor
14 Jul 1994Annetta RenoufSalisburyMentally ill man sets fire to house killing his motherConvicted manslaughter / diminished responsibility – Inquiry report 
29 Apr – 2 May 1994Fiona Pope (9)RoundswellMentally ill woman fatally stabbed daughter  
23 Mar 1995Joshua Skerton (2)DartmoorDepressed man killed son in exhaust filled car and attempted suicide
06 Mar 1994Phyllis (Constance) Saville (85)WimbourneMentally ill teenager fatally stabs elderly stranger
02 Jan 1994Polly Elizabeth Jordan (8wks)ChardMentally disordered young mother fatally suffocated her baby and convicted of assaulting other childrenSent to Broadmoor
01 Sep 1993Georgina RobinsonTorbayParanoid schizophrenic fatally stabbed occ. therapist in acute psych wardInd Inq 1995 MH failures, ‘entirely predictable’ previous assaultsInquiry
09 Aug 1993Rory England (15 mths)TauntonMentally ill young mother fatally battered toddler  
26 Jul 1993Margaret ArcherTrowbridge, WiltsMH homicide – killed wife with axe, then committed suicide  
15 Jun 1993Yvonne RaglanPlymouthMentally ill man fatally strangles wifeDiminished responsibility 
01 Feb 1993Paul KempsterGloucesterDepressed man fatally stabbed ex-wife’s partnerDiminished responsibility – life imprisonment
18 Jan 199322 month old babyCheltenhamPost-natally depressed young woman suffocated young step-daughterDiminished responsibility – five years Youth offending centre

3 Replies to “South West England”

  1. I’m trying to get info on the case of a woman who murdered her 4/5 yrs old daughter Jojo later part of 1980’s into 1990’s. She was originaly from Bedford but lived in Norfolk and imprissoned there. Both she and doting father(he from Nigeria) are Jehovah’s witnesses. Her previous name was Marie Stone before her marriage. She had mental health issues due to being ill and abnormaly large doses of steroid being miscalculated. I would greatly appreciate any info please.

  2. I worked in supported housing for people with mental health problems for 15 years in Bristol and know 5 of the people reported on from this list.
    Regarding Robert Cox from Bristol, and Derek Hancock, who killed him, its interesting how the SCR is both thorough and also misses the biggest contributing factor, that the HSR and process for funding supported housing in Bristol pushed services to move people on quickly, so the referal, even though it was to a service specialising in working with peopel with mental health needs glossed over his mental health, the focus was on the fact he was autistic and felt anxious and depressed. Nowhere did it explain he had feelings of persecution that were probabaly not based in reality.
    In truth almost all of his support needs and risks were around a delusional sense of persecution, he believed many other men he lived with were affecting him with their sexuality in some way, we took a long time to realise this as he revealed more of himself over time, intially his accusations of bullying did not mention the sexual element and were plausible.
    It was almost certainly responsible for his homelessness and use of supported housing., yet it was never explicitly stated. We wasted a lot of time learning this.
    Also it stated his previous service said he needed 24hr services, however, most of the time he seemed to have low support needs, the way the HSR works there is NO WAY they would have accepted him using 24hr support or even high support long term, he was simply too functional most of the time, the push to move people on and get them to lower support encouraged a culture where people would gloss over the real problems people had, like they did with Derek, It was all about pushing people through the stages of high to medium to low support, as they didnt think Derek was dangerous in my opinion they glossed over what was most likely to cause difficulty with being accepted by other services.
    While I maintain we could not have known he was going to do that, (especially that day, as he was very relaxed and calm till staff left the service, in fact I went home elated as he had seemed to turn a corner regarding engaging with other services about his mental health) I suspect knowing his real needs we would have only agreed to take him on if he engaged with mental health services, I will say it again, his real needs were never explicitly stated at referral.
    There were other issues with the actual HSR system which is essentially software, it was poorly laid out with a bizarre risk assessment system, recording support needs was also really poorly laid out, you could tick a box from a list to say what peoples support needs were, but the only point to write a narrative was in a box that looked very small, encouraging brief writing. Without a hint of arrogance i know i could have done better. No focus on just asking people to explain explicitly why people are homeless and how to change it. The system was also glitchy, showing previous pages when you tried to move on to reading about a different client amongst other issues.

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