Latest news with #RichardLaw
The Independent
4 days ago
- The Independent
Brother who killed sister with hammer detained indefinitely
A brother who attacked his older sister with a hammer as she lay in bed has been detained indefinitely for her manslaughter. Richard Law, 68, used a hammer to repeatedly bludgeon his sister Judith, 70, at their home in Newton Poppleford, Devon, in January this year. Exeter Crown Court heard the siblings were reclusive and at the time of the Miss Law's death there was an 'inter-related spiral of mental decline'. Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, said on the afternoon of January 17, Law phoned 999 and told the operator: 'I've killed my sister, and so I need you to come. 'We've both gone mad, I mean, mentally. I just couldn't cope with it all.' The emergency services found Miss Law dead in her bed having suffered severe head injuries. 'He told the police there had been a build up from Christmas Day, although there had been no big argument,' Miss Martin said. 'He said, 'I kept hitting her to make sure because I didn't want to leave her. She wanted to die, the same as I did'. 'He went on to say, 'Part of my problem is being reclusive and withdrawn. The last thing you want to do is go to counselling or go to the doctor'.' After being taken to the police station Law told officers he had intended to take his own life and was detained under the Mental Health Act. A post-mortem examination found Miss Law had suffered 'catastrophic head injuries' from at least six blows from a hammer. Police investigations found the siblings led quiet but separate lives, despite sharing their former parents' home. 'They were not well known to their neighbours,' Miss Martin said. 'What though did seem to be known of the two of them was they didn't have a particularly good sibling relationship. 'They led independent lives to the extent that they would shop and eat separately. 'When the police spoke to all of the friends and neighbours, it was clear that despite what they knew of their fraught relationship, no one had anticipated it would end in the killing of Judith by her brother.' Miss Martin said Law told psychiatrists that both he and his sister spoke of suicide and that he was becoming 'increasingly stressed'. 'On January 17 he said that they'd had a conversation about how long it would take them both to rot if they just stayed in bed and didn't eat,' she said. 'He said that he recalled thinking that this was the day to end their lives.' Law, of Lark Rise, Newton Poppleford, had previously been charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Two psychiatrists found he had been suffering from a 'severe depressive disorder' which had affected his culpability. Dan Pawson-Pounds, defending, said tensions between the siblings had exacerbated after their village had flooded in 2023 and their home needed repairs. 'The characterisation of the relationship between Mr Law and his sister is a difficult one because of course they were both relatively reclusive, Mr Law rather more than his sister,' he said. 'It appears that Mr Law's reclusive nature was a longstanding character trait developed over a number of years and was identifiable from the latest the mid-1990s. 'The knowledge of the neighbours and others of their relationship was naturally and inevitably somewhat limited. 'We would say that whilst there were clear tensions in that relationship, and those tensions were obviously exacerbated by the flood damage to their home and the ongoing repair work in 2023, it does appear that the balance of the observations taken from third parties is that while they lived their lives largely separately under the same roof, there was no suggestion of any violence at all between them.' Judge Anna Richardson imposed a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41 – meaning Law can be detained indefinitely. 'On January 17 this year you rang 999 telling the operator that you had killed your sister, that you had struck her with a hammer more than once, and that you had both gone mad,' she said. 'You exhibited substantial signs of disturbance in your manner during that call. 'You have since told medical experts that your intention was to kill Judith and yourself, but you were unable to go through with killing yourself. 'I accept that you are genuinely remorseful. 'I have concluded that the protection of the public is not best served by passing a penal sentence which would be of relatively short duration. 'Rather the justice of the case and the public are better served by the making of a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act. 'I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental disorder of a nature and degree which makes it appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for medical treatment.'
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
Brother who killed sister with hammer detained indefinitely
A brother who attacked his older sister with a hammer as she lay in bed has been detained indefinitely for her manslaughter. Richard Law, 68, used a hammer to repeatedly bludgeon his sister Judith, 70, at their home in Newton Poppleford, Devon, in January this year. Exeter Crown Court heard the siblings were reclusive and at the time of the Miss Law's death there was an 'inter-related spiral of mental decline'. Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, said on the afternoon of January 17, Law phoned 999 and told the operator: 'I've killed my sister, and so I need you to come. 'We've both gone mad, I mean, mentally. I just couldn't cope with it all.' The emergency services found Miss Law dead in her bed having suffered severe head injuries. 'He told the police there had been a build up from Christmas Day, although there had been no big argument,' Miss Martin said. 'He said, 'I kept hitting her to make sure because I didn't want to leave her. She wanted to die, the same as I did'. 'He went on to say, 'Part of my problem is being reclusive and withdrawn. The last thing you want to do is go to counselling or go to the doctor'.' After being taken to the police station Law told officers he had intended to take his own life and was detained under the Mental Health Act. A post-mortem examination found Miss Law had suffered 'catastrophic head injuries' from at least six blows from a hammer. Police investigations found the siblings led quiet but separate lives, despite sharing their former parents' home. 'They were not well known to their neighbours,' Miss Martin said. 'What though did seem to be known of the two of them was they didn't have a particularly good sibling relationship. 'They led independent lives to the extent that they would shop and eat separately. 'When the police spoke to all of the friends and neighbours, it was clear that despite what they knew of their fraught relationship, no one had anticipated it would end in the killing of Judith by her brother.' Miss Martin said Law told psychiatrists that both he and his sister spoke of suicide and that he was becoming 'increasingly stressed'. 'On January 17 he said that they'd had a conversation about how long it would take them both to rot if they just stayed in bed and didn't eat,' she said. 'He said that he recalled thinking that this was the day to end their lives.' Law, of Lark Rise, Newton Poppleford, had previously been charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Two psychiatrists found he had been suffering from a 'severe depressive disorder' which had affected his culpability. Dan Pawson-Pounds, defending, said tensions between the siblings had exacerbated after their village had flooded in 2023 and their home needed repairs. 'The characterisation of the relationship between Mr Law and his sister is a difficult one because of course they were both relatively reclusive, Mr Law rather more than his sister,' he said. 'It appears that Mr Law's reclusive nature was a longstanding character trait developed over a number of years and was identifiable from the latest the mid-1990s. 'The knowledge of the neighbours and others of their relationship was naturally and inevitably somewhat limited. 'We would say that whilst there were clear tensions in that relationship, and those tensions were obviously exacerbated by the flood damage to their home and the ongoing repair work in 2023, it does appear that the balance of the observations taken from third parties is that while they lived their lives largely separately under the same roof, there was no suggestion of any violence at all between them.' Judge Anna Richardson imposed a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41 – meaning Law can be detained indefinitely. 'On January 17 this year you rang 999 telling the operator that you had killed your sister, that you had struck her with a hammer more than once, and that you had both gone mad,' she said. 'You exhibited substantial signs of disturbance in your manner during that call. 'You have since told medical experts that your intention was to kill Judith and yourself, but you were unable to go through with killing yourself. 'I accept that you are genuinely remorseful. 'I have concluded that the protection of the public is not best served by passing a penal sentence which would be of relatively short duration. 'Rather the justice of the case and the public are better served by the making of a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act. 'I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental disorder of a nature and degree which makes it appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for medical treatment.'
BBC News
4 days ago
- BBC News
Man killed sister with hammer at Devon home they shared
A man who used a hammer to kill his older sister as she lay in bed has been detained Law, 68, hit his sister Judith in the head six times at the home they shared in Newton Poppleford, Devon, Exeter Crown Court court was told that Law dialled 999 after the attack on 17 January and told the operator that he could not cope and that both he and his 70-year-old sister had "gone mad".Law, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, was sentenced to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41 – meaning he can be detained indefinitely. The court heard Law told psychiatrists both he and Judith were suicidal and the stress had "built up and up" but it was "nothing to do with anger".After being taken to a police station, Law told officers he had intended to take his own life but could not go through with it. He was detained under the Mental Health Act. 'Catastrophic head injuries' Jo Martin KC, prosecuting, said Law, who described himself as "reclusive and withdrawn", called police to report he had killed his sister."He told the police there had been a build up from Christmas Day, although there had been no big argument," Ms Martin said."He said, 'I kept hitting her to make sure because I didn't want to leave her. She wanted to die, the same as I did'."The court heard the siblings were not close and ate and shopped separately even though they both lived in their late parents' house was badly damaged by flooding in 2023, which added to the strain between the pair. A post-mortem examination found Ms Law - who had arthritis - suffered "catastrophic head injuries" from at least six blows from a Dan Pawson-Pounds, defending, said: "There were clear tensions in their relationship exacerbated by the flood damage and repair work in 2023."They lived their lives separately under the same roof but there was no suggestion of any violence - Judith could stand up for herself."Judge Anna Richardson said she accepted Law was genuinely remorseful, adding he had "exhibited substantial signs of disturbance" in his manner during the call with judge added she did not think the protection of the public would be best served by "passing a penal sentence which would be of relatively short duration".She added: "I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental disorder of a nature and degree which makes it appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for medical treatment."
Wales Online
14-07-2025
- Wales Online
Hidden gem Cardigan Bay beach where you can see dolphins from golden sands
Hidden gem Cardigan Bay beach where you can see dolphins from golden sands Aberporth Beach, split into Dyffryn Beach in the east and Dolwen Beach in the west, is the perfect place to visit with the family in the summer holidays, or at any other time of the year Aberporth west beach in south Ceredigion is a Welsh classic (Image: Richard Law/Wiki ) Tucked away in the charming Welsh coastal village of Aberporth lies one of the UK's best kept secret beaches, perfect for a summer visit. As the weather warms up and schools prepare to break for the six-week holidays, families across the country are searching for activities, and a trip to Aberporth Beach in Ceredigion should be high on their list. Contrary to its singular name, Aberporth Beach is actually comprised of two separate beaches: Dyffryn Beach to the east and Dolwen Beach to the west. Both are exceptionally beautiful, boasting sandy shores and home to an array of wildlife, attracting tourists from near and far to this lesser-known haven. Although it currently doesn't hold Blue Flag status, it was awarded the honour in 2023, and its water quality remains rated as 'good', reports the Express. The beach features a sandy stretch with a gentle slope into the water, making it an ideal spot for swimmers and various other seaside activities. Article continues below Aberporth Beach, found in Ceredigion, Wales, is actually two beaches (Image: Getty ) Many believe it's most beautiful at low tide when rock pools appear, offering a glimpse of the diverse wildlife. Expect to see orcas, porpoises, sunfish and sharks as you explore the mysteries of Aberporth Beach. Finally, the vast expanse of sand provides the perfect setting for those wishing to soak up the sun, work on their tan and unwind. Aberporth Beach is a haven for sandcastle-building enthusiasts, with an abundance of sand to play with. A nearby clifftop walk to Tresaith offers breathtaking sea views and the chance to spot bottlenose dolphins in Cardigan Bay. Visitors may also stumble upon the area's prized dolphin statue, which stands majestically on the headland between Dolwen and Dyffryn beaches. The beach town's maritime heritage is evident in its local restaurants, where visitors can savour freshly caught seafood from the coast, including Cardigan Bay lobster and crab. Facilities at the beach include a café, toilets, disabled facilities, a first-aid point, a shower and a slipway. Activities such as fishing, sailing, swimming, surfing, and windsurfing are also available. Article continues below Aberporth Beach is a family-friendly destination that welcomes dogs all year round, although there are some restrictions on Dolwen Beach from September to June. However, visitors are urged to respect the serene holiday spot and protect the local ecosystem by keeping it clean and safe for everyone to enjoy, regardless of when they visit.
