KINGS LYNN MAN SENTENCED TO HOSPITAL ORDER AFTER KILLING GRANDFATHER DURING PSYCHOTIC EPISODE
A man responsible for the death of his grandfather amid a psychotic episode has been subjected to a hospital order.Ashley Francis, aged 27, attacked his 81-year-old grandfather by stabbing him in the neck at their residence on Main Street, Hockwold, while experiencing a psychotic state and hearing voices.
During a trial at Norwich Crown Court in March, the jury determined that Francis, who resides on Whittington Hill in Whittington, King's Lynn, was not guilty by reason of insanity.
This verdict was based on testimony from two psychiatrists confirming he was suffering from a severe mental disorder.
Today, Francis appeared once again before Norwich Crown Court, where he was formally sentenced to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act, accompanied by a Section 41 restriction order, which restricts his release without government approval.
It was previously revealed that Francis had a close relationship with his grandparents and frequently stayed with them.
However, his long-standing mental health issues had deteriorated in recent weeks, and although he was prescribed medication, he acknowledged that he was not always consistent in taking it.
On February 29, 2024, Francis was dropped off at his grandparents’ house by his mother for a scheduled meeting with the crisis team.
Shortly afterward, police were called around 8:50am after reports emerged that a man had been stabbed in the neck.
Francis had used a knife from home in a spontaneous attack in front of his grandmother.
His grandfather was transported to hospital for surgery but tragically died on March 7, 2024.
Francis was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder, which was subsequently upgraded to murder after his grandfather’s death.
He denied the charge, claiming insanity as a defense.
Detective Superintendent Stuart Chapman commented: “This has been an extremely tragic case where evidence demonstrated that Ashley Francis’s severe mental illness led to these devastating events.
The evidence persuaded the jury to deliver this special verdict, and my sympathies are with the family during this difficult time.”
