Religious killer Sameer Babar judged as 'no immediate risk'

Leonard Flower was killed in the garage of his home in Carnegie Gardens, Luton

A religious fanatic who fatally stabbed his neighbour was judged as "no immediate risk" four days earlier, an inquest has heard.

Leonard Flower was killed in his garage in Carnegie Gardens, Luton, by Sameer Babar, 35, on 22 October 2013.

Babar, who has since been detained in a secure mental health unit, claimed to be a descendant of Jesus and Mohammed.

Social worker Russell Monroe carried out a risk assessment on Babar on 18 October 2013.

The inquest heard Babar had told him: "Because of my faith I will cause no harm to myself or others".

Because of this Mr Monroe believed there to be no immediate risk, the hearing was told.

Sameer Babar was detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act

The inquest, in Ampthill, heard Babar made contact with Bedfordshire Police the day before the attack, leaving officers "very concerned".

The crisis team also attempted to visit Babar that morning but he did not appear to be in.

Mr Monroe described the leadership of the team, run by the South Essex Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust, as "somewhat ad hoc" with "lots of management changes".

Susan Waterhouse, the director of mental health at South Essex Partnership University Foundation NHS Trust, wrote a report on the case.

The inquest heard she was concerned about retrospective entries in notes with no reference being made to the fact they were not contemporaneous.

Ms Waterhouse also highlighted the lack of a multi-disciplinary team discussion due to staff sickness on 21 October 2013, the day before the killing.

Retired computer analyst Mr Flower was found lying in a pool of blood by a couple delivering leaflets.

Babar later pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was ordered to be detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act at Luton Crown Court in April 2014.

The inquest is due to last five days.