GOSPORT MAN SENTENCED TO HOSPITAL ORDER FOR KILLING STEPFATHER
In October 2018, Vladimir Ivashikin was responsible for the murder of his stepfather, Dr.Barry Hounsome, in their Gosport home, which led to his conviction for manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
Court proceedings disclosed that the 16-year-old used various weapons including electric drills, knives, and a hammer to commit the killing.
His actions were influenced by auditory hallucinations commanding him to kill, and he was later diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia.
Initially, he was sentenced to a hospital order at Winchester Crown Court in May 2019 after pleading guilty to manslaughter, and he has since been kept in a secure psychiatric facility.
In 2022, new evidence came to light when Ivashikin revealed to medical professionals that he had been untruthful about his symptoms, prompting a new trial.
During the subsequent proceedings in July 2024, he was acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, leading to a re-imposition of a hospital order.
The case was described as intricate and uncommon due to the introduction of new evidence and concerns about public safety.
The judge indicated that Ivashikin’s detention would continue indefinitely if he did not respond to treatment and remained a danger.
The incident received extensive media coverage, with police offering condolences and highlighting the violence of the crime.
