News from around the county Dad given 10 years for killing daughter
A desperate father who snapped and killed his teenage daughter after he was unable to cope with her severe anxiety problems has been detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act.
Richard Kray strangled 19-yearold Olivia and then tried to do the same to her mother Damyantee “Sheila” Cowan.
Judge Philip Statman made a “hybrid” order, meaning the 64-year-old former soldier will go to prison for 10 years, minus the time spent being treated in a psychiatric hospital.
He would serve half before being released on licence.
Maidstone Crown Court heard after both attacks Kray went to Herne Bay police station and confessed.
Kray, a carer for autistic children in a special school, denied murder and his guilty plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility was accepted. He also admitted attempted murder.
Prosecutor Simon Taylor said Kray had made efforts to help and care for his daughter, who had a high level of anxiety, involving a “mixed personality disorder and anxiety avoidance and dependent traits” and an obsessive disorder.
The court heard how her father, who was separated from Olivia’s mum, tried to get her the best treatment, but in the years leading up to her death she would constantly text and phone him.
As Olivia became more demanding, his mental health deteriorated.
After strangling Olivia he went to Miss Cowan’s home. When she arrived, Kray grabbed her neck with both hands, but she began to struggle and eventually broke free. She ran out the door and fled to the police station.
Kray was sentenced to 10 years for manslaughter and eight years concurrent for attempted murder.