PORTSTEWART MAN GIVEN 5 YEARS FOR MOTHER’S MURDER IN HALLUCINATORY RAGE
Alun Kinney Evans, a man who suffered from psychosis triggered by drug use after taking MXP, was held responsible for the death of his mother, Margaret Evans, at her home on Knockancor Drive, Portstewart.The tragic event occurred in June 2014 when Evans, under the influence of hallucinations, believed his mother was a witch, which led him to attack her physically with fists, feet, and a piece of wood.
Living with his parents, Evans initially denied committing murder but later admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Recently, Evans was convicted and sentenced to serve a minimum of five years in prison.
Court reports indicated that he had been using MXP, alcohol, and other drugs before the attack.
The judge described the assault as 'brutal and fatal,' resulting from Evans’ lack of awareness about the drug’s capacity to induce such severe psychotic episodes.
During police interviews, Evans was found in a state of undress, covered in cow manure, and consuming it.
He also made an attempt to cut his wrists and neck with barbed wire following his attack on his mother.
At the scene, he confided to officers: 'I think I killed her, I think I’ve killed my mum.
I had to kill my mum today - she’s a witch.' The court revealed that Evans was taken to hospital for medical attention before being moved to detention.
His sister, Samantha Scott, read out a victim impact statement, expressing grief over her mother’s death and concern about Evans’s mental health.
She hoped he would receive suitable mental health treatment rather than face prison.
The judge emphasized that the killing was unintentional, directly resulting from drug-induced psychosis.
Evans received an indeterminate sentence with a minimum term of five years.
His sister described their mother as a supportive and nurturing figure, and while the family was devastated, they held onto hope that Evans would find the help he needed.
This incident demonstrates the tragic consequences that can arise from drug-induced psychosis and underlines the importance of mental health support for those affected.
