‘Concerns’ on mum killed by son convinced she was devil

Sandra, who suffered from physical problems herself including asthma, osteo-arthritis and kidney stones, was hospitalised twice in the week before her death in December 2014.

Ms Wharton and the Pennine Care team were not aware Mr Beckwith was away on annual leave during this time, the inquest heard.

Mr Brotherton’s sister, Emma Green, had been dropping food off at the house while Sandra was in hospital but there was no one to prompt him to keep up his medication.

He had taken just one sixth of his prescribed olanzapine while Sandra was in hospital.

Recording a verdict that Sandra had been killed by multiple stabbing, Ms Kearsley said she would be writing to Pennine Care and the local authority to express her concerns, but the issues were not enough to amount to systemic failure.

She added: “That is not to say there are not some issues that cause me some concern.

“There was certainly a lack of information sharing [between the care coordinator] and the PA, and this contact needs to be robust.”

Mr Brotherton’s behaviour had become increasingly erratic in the months leading up to his mother’s death.

He had struck his mother in the face on September 2014 but she was so frightened he would be sectioned she concealed the assault from the authorities.

Ms Kearsley said there were no words to describe what Sandra’s family had gone through since her death.

She said: “Can I just offer my condolences.

“I cannot bring Sandra back and I can’t really answer questions as to why this happened.

“Sandra for so many years provided exemplary care for her son and I do not want to detract from the care she gave him.”

Mr Brotherton was sentenced for manslaughter by diminished responsibility when he appeared at Manchester Crown Court and was given a hospital order.