RAINHAM MAN FOUND GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER IN TRAGIC MOTHER CASE

Jamie Burnett, a 32-year-old man, was found guilty of manslaughter after stabbing his mother, Lesley Spearing, to death in her Rainham home. The incident occurred on October 10, 2019, when Burnett fatally wounded his mother in the neck with a serrated knife and then stamped on her head before fleeing the scene towards Rainham High Street. The court was shown two 999 calls made by Burnett shortly after the attack, during which he admitted to assaulting someone and expressed a lack of concern for the victim's condition, saying he "could not care less" if she was breathing and suggesting they "wait for the trial." He told ambulance operators he was bleeding and that there was blood everywhere before hanging up. Burnett's trial revealed he suffered from schizophrenia and psychosis, with evidence indicating a history of volatile behaviour and previous police involvement, including an incident in 2018. His care was overseen by medical professionals, but he was still living in supported accommodation at the time of the killing. The court heard that Burnett had been told of his mother's plans to cease his medication injections shortly before the murder, which left her fearing for her safety. Witnesses testified to his aggressive behaviour, including an incident during Christmas 2018 where he was seen with his hands around his mother's neck. During the trial, evidence was presented that Burnett knew how to cause maximum damage with a knife and had previously expressed intent to do so. Despite denying murder, he was convicted of manslaughter after nearly ten hours of jury deliberation and is scheduled for sentencing on May 21 at Maidstone Crown Court.