Psychiatrist reveals accused heard voices

THE man accused of murdering 50- year- old Paul Kelly by stabbing him told a psychiatrist he bought a set of knives earlier that day.

Dr Gordon Skilling was giving evidence at the High Court in Glasgow at the trial of Jason Cowan, 47, who denies murdering Paul at 57 Hermitage Avenue, Glasgow, on June 15, last year.

Cowan said he remembered bumping into Paul and then his next memory was speaking to a friend on the phone.

Cowan has lodged a special defence claiming he was suffering from diminished responsibility at the time.

The jury has heard he admits stabbing Paul with a knife and causing his death.

The psychiatrist told prosecutor Greg Farrell that he spoke to Cowan for around an hour on November 15, last year, while he was on remand at Barlinnie prison.

Dr Skilling said: “Mr Cowan stated in the six months prior to the incident his mental health had deteriorated. He said he was sleep deprived, lost weight and was hearing voices.

“He said when he walked past people in the street he heard voices saying ‘ attack them’.”

Cowan also told the psychiatrist that he was taking ‘ astronomical’ amounts of amphetamine and drinking to excess for months.

Dr Skilling told the jury: “Mr Cowan stated he had little recollection of the alleged offence. He had taken amphetamine that morning and still felt drunk from the night before.

“He said he went shopping in Clydebank and bought a set of knives and was intending to visit his grandmother.

“He said he bumped into Mr Kelly. He said he knew Paul Kelly and said he owned him money from years ago and Mr Kelly had sent people to his door to intimidate him.”

The jury heard that Cowan claimed the next thing he remembered was phoning a friend and then later armed police coming to his Knightswood home to arrest him.

Mr Farrell asked Dr Skilling: “No recollection of killing Paul Kelly,” and he replied: “No.”

The prosecutor then said: “No recollection of repeatedly stabbing him to death,” and the psychiatrist replied: No.”

Dr Skilling told the jury that in his opinion Cowan suffers for dissocial personality disorder, which is shown by callous unconcern for others and a low threshold for inflicting violence.

The trial continues.