Two sisters of a mentally ill man who fatally stabbed their loving elderly parents have spoken of being let down by a “broken” health and social service system.
Duncan Andrews repeatedly stabbed Mary, 76, and Bryan Andrews, 79, to death last November after, he said, being told to do so by God, Sheffield crown court heard.
Andrews, 52, has admitted two counts of manslaughter as a result of diminished responsibility.
A judge, Mrs Justice Stacey, on Friday made Andrews the subject of a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act. He will be treated at Rampton high-security psychiatric hospital and not released until any risks can be safely managed, she said.
The court heard that Andrews was having a psychotic episode and “hearing the voice of God” when he went in to his parents’ bedrooms and repeatedly stabbed them.
The court heard victim impact statements from Andrews’s sisters, Lucy and Sally. Sally Andrews, speaking in court, said a close-knit and loving family had been “blown apart” by the tragedy.
In her opinion it “should have been dealt with over 12 months ago, when we desperately sought help, knowing we were out of our depth with my brother’s deteriorating mental health.
“Potentially, if that had been the case, we wouldn’t be here now with my parents dead and my brother, sister and I serving a life sentence, knowing that their deaths were distressingly violent and possibly preventable.”
She said she was angry. “We weren’t made victims on 27 November 2022. We have been victims of a broken health and social service for at least two years, if not more.”
Sally Andrews spoke of the family being told her brother fell between different services and was on a waiting list.
“There was poor liaison with him and no regard for the family who looked after him and no return of calls.”
Mary Andrews was a retired district nurse and Bryan Andrews a retired builder and their family home was in Totley, Sheffield.
The judge described them as a “wonderful, remarkable couple who led by example and gave joy to everyone they knew and met”.
They radiated love and support for all their children, she said, with Bryan sharing his passions of gardening, classical music and ballroom dancing with his family.
Addressing Andrews she continued: “Your mother applied her nursing talents not only to her family but all the patients that she attended and cared for as a district nurse.” Mary Andrews was the “powerhouse” of the family, welcoming to everyone.
“The Andrews were active pensioners in their late 70s, still enjoying life and all their interests,” the judge said.
The court heard that Andrews had never been able to work as he has epilepsy. In recent years he has volunteered for the National Trust and more recently at a city farm. He was also part of a church community.
The judge made reference to Andrews’s sisters believing the severity of his condition was not recognised by the authorities.
“I understand that an inquiry or review is being undertaken by the hospital and there may be other proceedings of contemplation.”
