A MAN who punched, stabbed and strangled his grandmother before trying to burn her body has been made subject to a hospital order.

Kyle Ellis, aged 26, of New Hall Road, Ruabon, appeared at Mold Crown Court from HMP Berwyn by video link this morning.

He had previously admitted manslaughter - in that he killed Susan Hannaby, 69, at her home where he’d lived.

The court heard that with "absolutely no motive" he caused "considerable physical suffering" to his grandmother, with his profound mental illness being the only real explanation.

That ordeal had included punching her repeatedly, strangling her and stabbing her to the face and chest, before placing her body on the hob of her oven and attempting to set fire to her.

After hearing from prosecution counsel Anna Pope and defence counsel Gordon Cole KC, as well as expert psychiatrist Dr Dinesh Maganty, Judge Rhys Rowlands made the defendant subject to a hospital order under the mental health act without a time limit.

That means the question of whether and when he is to be released from hospital and treatment is not only for his treating clinicians to decide, but the Secretary of State and the MoJ as well.

The Judge also imposed an indefinite restriction order under the mental health act, which will mean lifelong close monitoring and care by mental health professionals should he be released in the future.

Full story to follow.

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