Man who killed neighbour given hospital order

Jonathan Moore killed neighbour James Henry Mayo in the retirement complex they lived in

A man who killed his neighbour at a retirement complex while suffering from delusions has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order.

Jonathan Moore, 64, fatally attacked James Henry Mayo, 80, in his flat at Welland Court, Cheltenham, on the evening of 14 April 2024.

He was arrested on suspicion of murder and later pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Sentencing Moore on Friday at Bristol Crown Court, Judge Peter Blair said: "You are going to lose your liberty for an indefinite period."

'Frenzied attack'

He added: "You continue to pose a very real and significant danger to the public of serious harm from future violent offences."

Moore wrongly believed that he was being stalked by a man he believed to be a former work colleague and that Mr Mayo was involved in a conspiracy against him, the court was told.

The judge described how Moore killed Mr Mayo, who was "an entirely innocent man", having gone to his flat armed with two screwdrivers and a car steering wheel lock.

"When he opened the door, you subjected him to a sustained, brutal and frenzied attack in the hallway of his own home," the judge said.

"The consequences were that he died."

The court heard Moore had "never been known to show violent tendencies towards anyone" but had become increasingly paranoid in the weeks leading up to the attack, claiming that his flat was under surveillance.

"It was perfectly understandable that no-one predicted how you were going to behave that day," the judge said.

Richard Posner, prosecuting, said Mr Mayo was survived by his sister, who paid tribute to his "positive character".

"It is patently clear that Mr Mayo is a man who will be very much missed," he said.

Catherine Spedding, representing Moore, said her client had worked as a software engineer and had no previous convictions or history of mental health concerns.

"He says he very much regrets his actions," she added.

Det Chf Insp Wayne Usher, Gloucestershire Police, said: "This was a horrific and sustained attack on a defenceless man that has had a devastating impact on the family.

"This sentence allows Moore to be detained indefinitely in an appropriate institution where he can receive the support he needs."