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Newton Poppleford man killed sister with hammer

Richard Law admitted the manslaughter of his sister (image courtesy: D&C Police)

He receives lifelong mental health detention order

A man who killed his 70-year-old sister in East Devon has been given an indefinite hospital detention order. 

Richard Law, 68, of Lark Rise, Newton Poppleford  admitted the manslaughter of Judith Law because of his diminished responsibility. 

He had called police to the home he shared with his sister at Lark Rise in the East Devon village on Friday 17 January this year, by Law.

Officers found Miss Law's body upstairs with a serious head injury.

In his initial call, Law said: “I’ve killed my sister, so I need you to come.” 

Law made a number of significant comments to officers on their way to custody in which he confirmed he had hit Judith with a hammer and that over the previous four weeks, since Christmas Day, his mental health had gone into decline. 

He also said he had intended to take his own life after killing his sister and had had suicidal thoughts in the weeks leading up to the attack but couldn’t go through with it. 

Law pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility at Exeter Crown Court on Friday 16 May. 

Her Honour Judge Anna Richardson sentenced him to a hospital order, under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act. He will be detained in the secure hospital where he has lived since January.  

Detective inspector Guy Biggar, from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The family, friends and neighbours of Judith have endured a tragic loss in exceptionally sad circumstances.   

“I would like to thank them for their support throughout this investigation and my thoughts, and those of the entire investigation team, are with them at this time.” 

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