Reclusive Brother's Hammer Attack: Sister Dead

A 68-year-old man who brutally attacked his older sister with a hammer as she lay in bed has been detained indefinitely for her manslaughter. Richard Law repeatedly bludgeoned his 70-year-old sister, Judith Law, at their home in Newton Poppleford, Devon, in January of this year. The shocking incident, which the court heard was fueled by an "inter-related spiral of mental decline" in both siblings, has cast a somber light on the hidden struggles of reclusive lives.

Exeter Crown Court heard disturbing details of the day Judith Law died. On the afternoon of January 17, Law himself made a chilling 999 call, telling the operator, "I've killed my sister, and so I need you to come. We've both gone mad, I mean, mentally. I just couldn't cope with it all."

Emergency services found Miss Law deceased in her bed, having sustained "catastrophic head injuries" from at least six blows with a hammer. Prosecutor Jo Martin KC revealed that Law told police there had been a build-up of tension since Christmas Day, though no specific argument preceded the attack. He reportedly stated, "I kept hitting her to make sure because I didn't want to leave her. She wanted to die, the same as I did."

Judith Law, 70, was attacked by her brother as she lay in bed at home

Law further admitted to officers, "Part of my problem is being reclusive and withdrawn. The last thing you want to do is go to counselling or go to the doctor." He was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act after expressing an intent to take his own life.

Police investigations uncovered that the siblings led quiet, largely separate lives despite sharing their former parents' home. While not well-known to their neighbors, it was observed that their sibling relationship was "not particularly good." They maintained independent routines, even shopping and eating separately. Despite their fraught dynamic, neighbors and friends interviewed by police never anticipated the relationship would culminate in Judith's death.

The court heard Law told psychiatrists that both he and his sister had discussed suicide, and he was becoming "increasingly stressed." On the day of the attack, he recounted a conversation with Judith about "how long it would take them both to rot if they just stayed in bed and didn't eat." He then recalled thinking, "this was the day to end their lives."

Law, of Lark Rise, Newton Poppleford, was initially charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Two independent psychiatrists confirmed he was suffering from a "severe depressive disorder" which significantly impaired his culpability for the crime.

Dan Pawson-Pounds, defending, highlighted that the already tense relationship between the siblings had been exacerbated by significant flood damage to their home in 2023 and ongoing repair work, adding further strain to their isolated existence. He emphasized that while tensions were clear, there had been no prior suggestion of violence between them.

Judge Anna Richardson presided over the sentencing, imposing a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act and a restriction order under Section 41. This means Richard Law will be detained indefinitely in a secure hospital setting.

In her ruling, Judge Richardson acknowledged Law's genuine remorse. However, she concluded that "the protection of the public is not best served by passing a penal sentence which would be of relatively short duration." She stated, "Rather the justice of the case and the public are better served by the making of a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act. I am satisfied that you are suffering from a mental disorder of a nature and degree which makes it appropriate for you to be detained in hospital for medical treatment."

The case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of untreated mental health issues, particularly within isolated individuals, and the critical importance of intervention and support.