22-YEAR-OLD MAN DETAINED IN PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL AFTER KILLING MOTHER IN CROWLAS
Jacob Poynton-Whiting, a 22-year-old man, committed a violent and tragic attack in Crowlas near Penzance, where he killed his mother, Sally Poynton, 44, in a shocking and inexplicable outburst of violence.He inflicted multiple knife wounds on her neck, stomach, and leg at approximately 07:00 BST on June 22, 2021, leading to her near-immediate death.
The court heard that Poynton-Whiting was suffering from a severe psychotic episode when he armed himself with a knife and entered the house.
His younger brother, who was 18, attempted to help their mother during the attack and demonstrated incredible bravery by attempting to intervene.
The brother described the attack as "completely unprovoked," attributing it to a "catastrophic breakdown of his mental health." When police arrested him, Poynton-Whiting did not attempt to leave the scene and was taken into custody by armed officers.
He admitted to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and also pleaded guilty to wounding his brother.
The judge at Truro Crown Court stated, "you were very ill indeed," and decided that Poynton-Whiting would be detained in a psychiatric hospital until he can be safely managed in the community, which the judge noted could be a considerable amount of time.
The judge also expressed sympathy for the family, describing the loss as "too terrible to contemplate," and acknowledged the impact on his brother, whose relationship with him was now permanently broken.
The prosecutor described the attack as "catastrophic" in mental health terms, emphasizing that it was a tragic breakdown and a deeply disturbing incident.
Det Sgt Nige Green of Devon and Cornwall Police conveyed his condolences, thanking the family for their dignified cooperation and expressing hope that Jacob Poynton-Whiting would receive the help he needs, indicating the importance of his mental health treatment.
