Neighbour killed in brutal stabbing by undiagnosed schizophrenic
AFORMER delivery driver was stabbed to death in a frenzied attack by an undiagnosed paranoid schizophrenic at a house in Birmingham.
Dean Bayliss, aged 57, was found in his room with multiple stab wounds in June last year.
His attacker, Hardeep Bhachu, 37, who admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, has now been sent to a secure hospital indefinitely.
Benjamin Aina QC, prosecuting at Birmingham Crown Court, said: “At 12.19pm on June 13 last year Dean Bayliss was found lying deceased in his room at Oxhill Road, Handsworth, which provides accommodation and support for people with vulnerabilities and in need of somewhere to live.
“Mr Bayliss had a significant injury to his throat and stab wounds to his upper body. Bhachu was another resident at the premises and was arrested shortly after having blood on his feet and abdomen and scratches to his arm. Bhachu’s room was searched and a sheathed combat knife was discovered within.”
The court heard that there were five bedrooms in the semi-detached property and that Mr Bayliss had lived in a room below that of the defendant’s.
On the night of the killing other residents had heard screaming and banging and Mr Bayliss’s body was later discovered by a support worker. The only account of what happened was given by Bhachu to a psychiatrist.
He said he had woken and felt “extreme aggression” and had gone out with the weapon, the court heard. He said he had knocked on the victim’s door and then pushed his way in before repeatedly stabbing Mr Bayliss.
Bhachu told the psychiatrist:
“It was cold blooded murder. I felt no emotion.”
Mr Aina said there had been two previous incidents involving the defendant and knives and that he had shown a number of symptoms for his illness but without receiving any treatment.
As a result of his abnormal mental function he was unable to form rational judgment or exercise self control and had a lack of insight.
In a statement, Zoe Roberts, Mr Bayliss’ ex-wife, said that he had been a loving step father to her three daughters.
They had divorced in 2016 but he had remained a close friend and a constant part of the family.
The statement said: “He was a delivery driver for over 30 years. After some personal problems he lost his job but he was getting his life back on track.
“His violent and senseless death has taken so much away from us. He has literally broken our hearts. I feel broken and lost without him.”
Lewis Bayliss said: “The person responsible for killing my dad has made my life feel like a bomb has exploded and the pieces no longer fit together.
“He was a loving human being who would have done anything for anyone.
“My memories are of a peaceful man who made a difference to the lives of those who knew him. He had opened his door thinking someone needed help.
“He died alone in his flat. No one should leave this world in these circumstances at the hands of someone else.”
In passing sentence Judge Francis Laird QC said that Bhachu was dangerous and a risk to others.
Andrew Smith QC, defending, said: “He had an untreated and undiagnosed mental illness.”
He said that Bhachu needed long term intensive treatment and supervision for the protection of others.