Cleaver-attack pensioner’s sentencing delayed again
Lack of beds at mental health unit stops psychiatric review
Sentencing of a pensioner who tried to kill the manager at his retirement flats with a meat cleaver has again been delayed as no bed is available at a mental health unit.
Retired electricity board linesman Frederick Butcher attacked 59-year-old Mina Turner at Hengist Court, Maidstone, in January.
The 80- year- old admitted attempted murder and sentencing was adjourned for psychiatric reports. However, the case was again adjourned on Monday for another assessment.
Prosecutor Peter Forbes told Maidstone Crown Court in Kent that Butcher had already been assessed by doctors as ‘acutely psychotic’, with ‘persecutory’ thoughts and that he made illogical comments.
The widower, who was not in court for the brief hearing, has no previous convictions. It was said by his defence team earlier this year that the death of his wife may have triggered the violence at the sheltered accommodation in January.
Mrs Turner, who also lived at the complex in Marsham Street, was struck to the back of the head with the blunt end of the cleaver before being stabbed in the neck.
She also suffered multiple stab wounds to her abdomen and a serious injury to her wrist.
Mr Forbes said: “He had a misconstrued idea that the victim was interfering in his attempts to raise money for charity.”
Butcher is currently in prison on Sheppey, but Judge Philip Statman was told further psychiatric assessment would have to take place as an in-patient at Maidstone’s Trevor Gibbens Unit.
No beds are available at present, but Judge Statman urged that inquiries be made to avoid further delays.
He said: “It is absolutely imperative that a bed be found to enable this assessment. The first step forward must be for the court to have the appropriate report so the next step can be determined.”
At a previous hearing, Mr Forbes said the attempted murder of Mrs Turner was planned, and she suffered a number of injuries, including a perforated bowel, liver damage and a broken wrist.
She is likely to be permanently disabled.