Man, 79, hit manager of home with meat cleaver
It was not yet known, he added, whether the victim wished to be present for the sentencing hearing on June 2.
Judge Philip Statman agreed to adjourn for a psychiatric report at the request of Butcher’s lawyer, Danny Moore.
Mr Moore said: “There was a very recent bereavement. The defendant lost his wife a few weeks before. Something has gone wrong, hasn’t it?”
The judge agreed: “Something has triggered this incident. I will order a psychiatric report.”
He told Butcher, who has no previous convictions: “One thing that can be said today is you have had the good sense to plead guilty at an early opportunity in these proceedings.
“That is an important feature I will need to consider in your favour when mitigation is advanced on the next occasion on your behalf. There is a lot more information I need to find out about you. A psychiatric report will deal with the background and events which led up to this offence.”
Judge Statman warned: “You will appreciate I am giving no indication today as to the length of the inevitable custodial sentence in your case.” Butcher was remanded in custody.