Son, 22, admits stabbing his beauty boss mother to death
THE son of a beauty shop manager has admitted stabbing his mother to death at the luxury home they shared.
Thomas Fisher, 22, says he was suffering from a severe mental illness when he killed 51-year-old Fiona.
Mrs Fisher suffered a single fatal stab wound to the heart at their £1 million converted chapel in April.
Her son was due to go on trial accused of her murder on Monday after an extensive police investigation.
But instead he appeared in court yesterday to plead guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.
The defendant, who is under the care of a psychiatrist, kept a journal in the run-up to the killing, Lewes Crown Court heard. Prosecutor Matthew Jewel said he was examined by two separate psychiatrists who had drawn up reports. He said: ‘A journal or diary was being kept by the defendant. Both psychiatrists conclude that it offers significant insight into his state of mind leading up to the events. That is the type of evidence that is not open to challenge.’
Mr Jewel said that Fisher’s admittance of the crime on the plea of diminished responsibility was acceptable to both the prosecution and the victim’s family.
During the two-hour hearing, Fisher did not look at several relatives who sat in the public gallery of the court.
His mother’s body was found after police were asked to check on her welfare at the five-bedroom Victorian detached home in Crowborough, East Sussex.
It is understood family members became concerned when she did not return calls.
Neighbours said she worked as an assistant manager for upmarket beauty brand L’Occitane in Tunbridge Wells, Kent.
She was involved with a new man after splitting from her husband Ian, 52, a former hedge fund sales director. The couple had two children, Thomas and his younger sister Megan, 20. Mr Fisher runs a company offering bespoke services to supercar owners based at Dunsfold Park, the home of TV’s Top Gear.
One of Mrs Fisher’s neighbours said: ‘I know she was trying to sell the property for a year or so. She’s spent most of her time building a new life with someone, I think that’s why she was trying to sell the house.
‘Along this lane, we all know each other and all the neighbours are very friendly with each other, but she was private.’
In a statement after Mrs Fisher’s death, her family said: ‘Fiona will be sadly missed by her daughter Megan, her mother Dorothy and stepfather Les, as well as her father. There are no words to explain the love those around her felt for her, she is irreplaceable.’
Fisher also pleaded guilty to fraudulently attempting to use a Marks & Spencer Mastercard to obtain goods, as well as driving while disqualified.
He will be sentenced next month after further psychiatric tests. He was driven from court in a blacked-out car.