Devon man guilty of sister's fatal hammer attack, detained indefinitely

DEVON MAN GUILTY OF SISTER'S FATAL HAMMER ATTACK, DETAINED INDEFINITELY

Richard Law, aged 68, was responsible for the death of his sister Judith by striking her six times in the head with a hammer inside their shared home in Newton Poppleford, Devon.

The court heard that the attack caused devastating head injuries.

Following the incident, Law contacted emergency services, telling the operator that he and Judith had "gone mad" and that he couldn’t cope.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

The court ordered his detention under a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41, meaning he could be held indefinitely for mental health care.

During police questioning, Law explained that both he and Judith had been feeling suicidal and that stress levels had built up over time, though he denied anger was a factor.

He also discussed his own suicidal ideation but said he was unable to act on it.

Court details showed that the relationship between the siblings was strained; they lived apart and lacked a close connection, with the family home experiencing flooding damage in 2023, which added to the existing tensions.