Hospital order for man who stabbed uncle to death

A man has been sentenced to a hospital order after he stabbed his uncle to death in a Devon village.

Corin Harper-Davis, 37, of Hither Green, London, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court after he admitted the manslaughter of his uncle, Jonathan Harper, by diminished responsibility.

The 64-year old was found inside a property in Brampford Speke, near Exeter, on 31 July 2024 after he was stabbed with a knife.

The court heard Harper-Davis, who was the director of a video production business in London, believed his uncle had been kidnapped and replaced by an imposter who was going to cause him harm.

The court also heard Harper-Davis was suffering from a psychotic illness and an episode of paranoid schizophrenia.

He travelled down to Brampford Speke and stayed at his parents' home, where other family members had also gathered.

The court heard on the evening of the killing, Harper-Davis had been behaving oddly and his uncle remarked on this.

The victim died from a stab wound to the chest which penetrated his heart and lung.

Judge Anna Richardson said Harper-Davis was suffering from "an extreme episode of mental health" and paranoid delusions.

She said the tragedy of the case was that his uncle was trying to offer support and protection but lost his life.

She sentenced Harper-Davis to a Section 37 and 41 hospital order, which is designed to protect the public because of a significant risk of relapse.

Senior investigating officer Det Insp Guy Biggar, from Devon and Cornwall Police's major crime investigation team, said it was a "truly tragic case".

"I would like to pass on my thanks and condolences to Jonathan's partner and son, both of whom have shown real bravery and compassion at an incredibly difficult time," he added.

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