Man killed sister with hammer at home they shared

Richard Law pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility

A man who used a hammer to kill his older sister as she lay in bed has been detained indefinitely.

Richard Law, 68, hit his sister Judith in the head six times at the home they shared in Newton Poppleford, Devon, Exeter Crown Court heard.

The court was told that Law dialled 999 after the attack on 17 January and told the operator that he could not cope and that both he and his 70-year-old sister had "gone mad".

Law, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, was sentenced to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41 – meaning he can be detained indefinitely.

Richard Law was detained under the Mental Health Act after he killed his sister

The court heard Law told psychiatrists both he and Judith were suicidal and the stress had "built up and up" but it was "nothing to do with anger".

After being taken to a police station, Law told officers he had intended to take his own life but could not go through with it.

He was detained under the Mental Health Act.

'Catastrophic head injuries'

Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, said Law, who described himself as "reclusive and withdrawn", called police to report he had killed his sister.

"He told the police there had been a build up from Christmas Day, although there had been no big argument," Ms Martin said.

"He said, 'I kept hitting her to make sure because I didn't want to leave her. She wanted to die, the same as I did'."

The court heard the siblings were not close and ate and shopped separately even though they both lived in their late parents' house.

The house was badly damaged by flooding in 2023, which added to the strain between the pair.

Judith Law was hit with a hammer at least six times by her younger brother Richard

A post-mortem examination found Ms Law - who had arthritis - suffered "catastrophic head injuries" from at least six blows from a hammer.

Barrister Dan Pawson-Pounds, defending, said: "There were clear tensions in their relationship exacerbated by the flood damage and repair work in 2023.

"They lived their lives separately under the same roof but there was no suggestion of any violence - Judith could stand up for herself."

Judge Anna Richardson said she accepted Law was genuinely remorseful, adding he had "exhibited substantial signs of disturbance" in his manner during the call with police.

The judge added she did not think the protection of the public would be best served by "passing a penal sentence which would be of relatively short duration".

She added: "I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental disorder of a nature and degree which makes it appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for medical treatment."