Man's mental health raised before he killed neighbour

Paul Wells was killed by his neighbour in Highbridge, Somerset in 2020

A housing officer has told an inquest she tried several times to get mental health support for a man who went on to kill his neighbour.

Richard Matthews is serving an indefinite hospital order after he admitted to killing Paul Wells in Highbridge, Somerset, by diminished responsibility in June 2020.

The inquest into Mr Wells' death opened in Wells on Monday, and heard from Laura Freeman, the neighbourhood officer for Homes in Sedgemoor, which was managing social housing he lived in.

Ms Freeman told the inquest she made "several referals" about Matthews' mental health, but was left frustrated and felt as if the case was "going around in circles".

At the inquest, Ms Freeman said she became concerned about Matthews' mental health after he put up posters outside his property which falsely alleged Mr Wells was a paedophile.

Mr Wells had also made noise complaints against Matthews due to the playing of instruments.

Ms Freeman said she began her role in March 2020 and between then, and Mr Wells' death in June 2020, she had contacted police, mental health services, Matthews' GP and adult safeguarding services, but said no one offered mental health treatment.

She added she had tried to get Matthews to sign an antisocial behaviour contract in response to the posters and noise complaints.

The court in Wells heard Matthews refused to sign it, but due to Covid regulations, repossession proceedings were not able to be started.

Previously, concerns had been raised about Matthews' wellbeing on the day of the killing, and police officers attended his home in Edithmead Lane but got no reply.

Paramedics and firefighters attended shortly after and spoke to Matthews before leaving.

At about 14:35 BST Matthews made a 999 call and said he had killed Mr Wells.

The inquest continues.