‘He’s killing us all’ Man’s knife and scissor attack on parents and gran

AMENTALLY ill man carried out a “frenzied attack” on his parents and his elderly grandmother in their sleep, using knives, scissors, a cricket bat and dumbbells, a court has heard.

Jonathan Keal, from Bristol, is accused of the attempted murders of Robert and Lynda Keal, as well as 90-year-old Marjorie Keal, at their home near Fordingbridge in the New Forest, Hampshire, on the night of September 26, 2018.

The 37-year-old, whose address was previously given as formerly of Old Market Street, is also accused of wounding with intent against the three family members.

Kerry Maylin, prosecuting, told Salisbury Crown Court that Keal had been staying with his parents after they became concerned about a deterioration in his mental health.

She said the defendant, who had a history of mental illness and drug abuse, had been taken to hospital on September 25 when he cut his wrists and ankles after stopping his prescribed medication.

When Keal returned home, he attacked his father, then aged 64, his mother, who was 65, and his grandmother, who suffers from dementia, the court heard.

Ms Maylin said neighbours heard shouts of distress coming from the property, along with sounds of “thumping and banging” lasting for up to 10 minutes.

She said that Keal was seen leaving the address, shirtless and with red arms, saying: “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

Ms Maylin said Mr Keal Snr woke up to find his son stabbing him and thumping him while saying: “I’m sorry, Dad, I’m sorry, Dad.”

Keal then attacked his father again, with a cricket bat and another knife, in the porch area of the house.

Ms Maylin said Mr Keal said to his son: “You are going to kill me, Jonathan. Stop it. What are you doing? Why are you doing it?”, to which the defendant replied: “I know I am, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

The prosecutor said Mrs Keal was attacked while asleep in her bed and then pursued into the en suite bathroom.

Ms Maylin said: “She woke up to find her son Jonathan hitting her. He was shouting ‘I am sorry, I am sorry, this isn’t me, it’s the devil.’”

She said that, after Keal left the room, his mother opened a window with the aim of making her son believe she was no longer there, but he found her hiding in a locked wardrobe.

“He smashed his way through the locked bathroom door, completely removing it from its hinges and damaging the door.”

Ms Maylin said Keal then stabbed his mother in the chest and neck with a pair of scissors before leaving her.

The prosecutor said Mrs Keal called 999 and said: “He’s gone mad, he’s killing us all. I hurt all over,” before adding: “I can’t move, I’m playing dead.”

As Ms Maylin opened the prosecution case, the judge, Mr Justice Garnham, allowed the defendant, who was sobbing in the dock, to be taken down to the cells while the case continued.

Keal denies the six charges and the trial continues.