John Anderson Griffiths's Social Media Accounts
Know a Social Media Account Linked to John Anderson Griffiths?
Want to add information? Log in to your account to contribute accounts and phone numbers.
JOHN ANDERSON GRIFFITHS SENTENCED FOR BRUTAL MURDER IN LLANFRYNACH AND BRECON
A man with a longstanding history of mental health struggles was formally sentenced to indefinite detention after admitting to the murder of his elderly mother in Powys last year. John Anderson Griffiths, aged 58, carried out a violent attack on his 87-year-old mother, Joyce Griffiths, at their family farm located near Brecon in August 2022. The incident was characterized by extreme brutality, with Griffiths inflicting over 50 stab wounds on his mother during the assault.Initially, Griffiths denied any involvement in his mother’s death, pleading not guilty to charges of manslaughter. However, during proceedings at Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court, he changed his plea to guilty, citing diminished responsibility as a key factor. Prosecutor Carlie Rees described the attack as “brutal,” emphasizing the tragic loss of a beloved grandmother and a respected member of the local community.
The court was informed that Griffiths had a documented history of mental health issues, including a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia made in 2006. His mental health history included multiple detentions in psychiatric facilities, reflecting ongoing struggles with his condition. The attack was linked to Griffiths’ deteriorating mental state and delusional beliefs, which led him to believe that his mother intended to have him sectioned against his will. Prior to the incident, attempts to assess Griffiths’ mental health in early August had been inconclusive, and he was resistant to receiving treatment.
In a disturbing development, just hours before the attack, Griffiths contacted the police claiming that his mother had attacked him with a knife. When officers arrived at the scene, they found Joyce Griffiths gravely wounded. She was immediately rushed to hospital but succumbed to her injuries, which included at least 50 sharp force wounds. Griffiths was promptly arrested at the scene and later appeared in court via videolink from a psychiatric facility.
During the hearing, Griffiths’ legal representative highlighted that mental health experts described him as “floridly psychotic” at the time of the incident. His mental health condition was recognized as a significant factor contributing to the crime. The judge, citing Griffiths’ chronic mental health issues, lack of insight, and the potential risk of further serious offenses, ordered that he be detained indefinitely under Sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act. The sentencing underscored the tragic loss of a kind and well-loved woman, while also acknowledging the profound impact of Griffiths’ mental health on his actions.