Hayes: Man detained after killing fellow care home resident

The killing took place at the Imperial Lodge care facility in Hayes, west London

A man who beat a fellow resident to death at a home for people with mental health conditions has been given an indefinite hospital order.

Rajinder Pall, 45, denied murder but pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of John Hallissey at the facility in Hayes, west London, on 2 January 2023.

Experts agreed he was suffering from an episode of schizophrenia at the time.

Pall also admitted being in breach of a suspended sentence for harassment and common assault at the Old Bailey.

Prosecutor Jacqueline Carey KC said the pleas were acceptable to the Crown and asked for the murder charge to lie on file.

Ms Carey said the 60-year-old victim and Pall both had schizophrenia and were living at Imperial Lodge, which provides assisted-living accommodation for those with mental health conditions.

A manager described Pall as "one of the best clients ever" while a team leader said he had on occasion been aggressive, the court was told.

On the day of the killing, Pall had taken his medication and had been seen "happily chatting" with the victim as they smoked outside at about 23:00 GMT.

Forty minutes later, Mr Hallissey was set upon after he knocked on Pall's door, the court heard.

CCTV footage played in court showed the victim being punched in the head and put in a headlock.

'Focused on hurting'

Ms Carey said Pall lent on Mr Hallissey's neck for about one minute, nine seconds.

A member of staff attempted to intervene and saw Pall was "very angry" and "focused on hurting", she said.

Ms Carey added: "When Mr Pall stood up, he then stood on Mr Hallissey's torso and stamped on his chest."

Emergency services were called and Mr Hallissey was pronounced dead shortly after 01:00.

A post-mortem examination found he died from compression of the neck.

The court was told Pall had 18 convictions for 38 offences including sexual assault, common assault and robbery.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Mr Hallissey's sister Bernadette Eaves said he was "good humoured, kind and thoughtful".

Judge Mark Lucraft KC said it was a "very sad case" and that "remorse" was expressed on Pall's behalf.

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