A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a 65-year-old woman on the grounds of diminished responsibility. June Fox-Roberts was found dead at her home in Llantwit Fardre, near Pontypridd, on November 21, 2021. Officers were called to the home in St Anne’s Drive after being contacted by a concerned family member.
Luke Deeley, 26, was arrested and charged with Mrs Fox-Roberts' murder. But appearing via videolink at Swansea Crown Court on Wednesday the defendant pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He pleaded not guilty to a count of murder, which was accepted by the Crown.
Prosecutor John Hipkin KC said Deeley, who was wearing a blue T-shirt and a denim jacket with a fur collar during the hearing, had been sectioned under section 45 of the Mental Health Act and had been remanded in a psychiatric hospital. He said three psychiatric reports had been prepared and were of the same opinion that Deeley was suffering an "abnormality of mind" at the time of Mrs Fox-Roberts' death, namely paranoid schizophrenia.
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It was agreed that Deeley's ability to understand the nature of his conduct, to form a rational judgement, and to exercise self-control was "substantially impaired" as a result of his condition. Mr Justice Griffiths adjourned the defendant's sentencing hearing until April 28. The venue of the hearing is yet to be determined.
Speaking at the time of Ms Fox-Roberts' death her family said: "We are in utter shock about the death of our mother... She was a kind-hearted, generous woman who was never happier than when with family and friends around her.
“She loved her family dearly and we will never be the same. We are heartbroken.”
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