Woman stabbed her care worker to death

Kellyanne McNaughton had a number of mental health issues but was not previously considered violent

A woman has admitted stabbing her care worker to death during a mental health episode.

Kellyanne McNaughton killed senior support worker Michele Rutherford, 54, at her supported accommodation in Stirling in March last year.

Two other carers, Moira McMillan and Victoria Hendry, were also stabbed before they persuaded 33-year-old McNaughton to release the knife.

McNaughton had faced a murder accusation but prosecutors accepted her guilty plea to the reduced charge of culpable homicide.

This was on the basis of diminished responsibility due to her mental health issues at the time.

The case was adjourned until late January but the High Court in Glasgow heard that McNaughton will remain in prison until she can be transferred to a mental health facility.

Police at the accommodation on 7 March 2023

McNaughton lived within supported accommodation with other residents at Craighall Court in Stirling, run by The Richmond Fellowship charity.

The court heard she was not previously considered violent but an incident in her personal life appeared to "trigger" a change in behaviour.

In the lead-up to the incident, McNaughton made a number of claims including how she could hear children screaming.

Staff at the facility attempted to phone a psychiatrist that McNaughton was previously under the care of, but they were told a referral would have to be made through her GP.

McNaughton was then left in the care of staff until the stabbing incident on 7 March 2023.

Flowers laid at the scene of the incident for Michele Rutherford

After the incident, Ms Rutherford, a mother of two, was taken to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital where she died that day.

After her arrest, McNaughton admitted to police that she had stabbed her three carers and called herself "demonic".

The plan is for McNaughton to receive treatment for her conditions, but the only Scots 'high risk" facility is the State Hospital at Carstairs, which caters for men.

The court heard there has been initial discussions about her being transferred to a hospital in England.

Lord Armstrong initially adjourned the case until late January and McNaughton will remain in prison meantime.