JOHN JENKIN

MENTAL HEALTH EPISODE ENDS IN DOUBLE TRAGEDY IN MILLOM

A man named John Jenkin, who experienced a schizophrenic breakdown, was sentenced to life imprisonment after killing his mother, Alice McMeekin, age 58, and sister, Kathryn Jenkin, age 20, with an axe inside their family home in Millom.

The court took into account his plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Jenkin, 24, of Newton Street, had made an earlier attempt to drown himself in a river two days before the murders, after consuming LSD, whisky, and painkillers.

He was brought to Furness General Hospital for evaluation and was examined by a psychiatric nurse but was released.

He then went on to commit the murders.

During the court hearing, Jenkin acknowledged the manslaughter charge and was given a sentence with a minimum term of 12 years.

It was also disclosed that he had previously tried to drown himself on June 6, just before killing his mother and sister at their Millom home on June 8.

The incident also involved the killing of the family dog.

Following the attacks, police quickly detained Jenkin, with authorities praising community efforts in his rapid arrest.

The victims’ families released a statement of grief, expressing their sadness and calling the event a tragedy beyond words, noting “words don’t come close to capturing our pain,” and that “Alice and Katie will be forever missed and loved by everyone who knew them.”