A man stabbed his own grandmother to death before setting fire to her home with her remains still inside.
Kyle David Edward Ellis, of New Hall Road in Ruabon, Wrexham County Borough, admitted the manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility of 69-year-old Susan Anne Hannaby during a hearing in April. Ms Hannaby's body was discovered in her kitchen after a house fire at her home in Ruabon on February 11, 2021.
A sentencing hearing at Mold Crown Court on Wednesday heard 26-year-old Ellis had been experiencing low mood in the lead up to the incident, and had made attempts to get help from doctors. He was described as being in an "emotional and unsettled" state in the hours prior to attacking her.
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Anna Pope, prosecuting, said at the time of Ms Hannaby's death, her grandson had been living with his grandparents for about a decade. In early February 2021, Ellis had been experiencing low mood and had given up cannabis following a split with his girlfriend. Ms Pope said that Ellis confessed to his mother that his "head was a mess" in the days that followed. He made attempts to get help from doctors but couldn't get through to anyone, Ms Pope said.
On February 10, the night of the killing, Ellis was with his partner and grandmother before he left his gran to visit his father. He was described as being "emotional and unsettled" during the visit. His partner said that he was "in the worst mental state" she had seen.
Ellis went back to his grandmother's home, arriving shortly before midnight. Less than 10 minutes later, Ms Pope said, Ellis had attacked his gran - fracturing her cheek and strangling her. She had "slashes" and stabs to her body.
Ms Pope said he collected "combustible materials", disabled smoke alarms and left her body to burn in the kitchen. Attempts were made by emergency services to save Ms Hannaby but these were unsuccessful.
Ms Pope said Ellis made various comments once arrested about why he killed Ms Hannaby and these continued when he was being held at HMP Berwyn and Tŷ Llywelyn.
Sharon Ellis, Ms Hannaby's daughter and the defendant's mum, provided a victim impact statement. She said that she loved both of them very much and struggles to comprehend what happened. She said she hopes her son can get the help he needs. She added that she speaks to her son still but they do not mention what happened to his gran.
Dr Maganty, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, told the court he assessed Ellis on the request of defence counsel Gordon Cole KC. He said he has determined Ellis as suffering from schizophrenia at the time of the offence and considered a hospital order the most appropriate sentence that a court could pass. He said the defendant requires "lifelong support" from mental health professionals to protect himself and the public. The doctor confirmed that a bed is available for Ellis at Tŷ Llywelyn in Conwy.
Judge Rhys Rowlands told Ellis that his 69-year-old grandmother lost her life following a "sustained and brutal attack" in her home. Whilst alone, screams could be heard when he punched her repeatedly, strangled with a dressing gown cord, stabbed and slashed her with a knife before setting fire to the body in the kitchen.
Judge Rowlands said he is of the view that Ellis does suffer from paranoid schizophrenia and should be made subject to a hospital order as opposed to traditional custody. The judge said his psychosis is "the only credible explanation" available for his actions.
The judge sentenced Ellis to an indefinite hospital order (with restrictions) under the Mental Health Act.
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