Nottingham man sentenced for killing father
Victim described as the 'funniest, kindest person who touched so many people’s lives.'
A man who stabbed his father 75 times during a ‘sustained and brutal’ knife attack inside an address has been sentenced.
Brenton Marriott, aged 58, was attacked by his son, Rudi Marriott, in the kitchen of a semi-detached home in Cloister Street, Lenton, on Friday 5 August 2022.
Members of the public gave first aid to Brenton to try and help him after he collapsed in the street.
Police officers arrived within minutes and administered first aid to Brenton and to 29-year-old Rudi who had suffered injuries to his hands.
Brenton was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre where he died a short time later that day.
Rudi was arrested in connection with the attack and charged with the murder of his father.
During the seven-day trial, the court heard about Rudi’s history of mental health issues and how his mental health had deteriorated significantly in recent years.
Three separate and independent consultant forensic psychiatrists agreed that at the time of the killing Rudi was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.
Throughout the trial, Rudi maintained he had acted in lawful self-defence. The jury rejected this assertion and concluded that Rudi intended to kill or cause really serious harm to Brenton and returned a verdict of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
He was sentenced to a hospital and restriction order when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Thursday.
Sentencing Rudi, Judge Stuart Rafferty KC found that he was responsible for his father’s death.
The judge said: “You had armed yourself with a knife and, under the delusional belief you needed to defend yourself from your father, you attacked him with what can only be described as savagery.”
Detective Inspector Clare Gibson, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:
"Rudi Marriott’s three-minute attack on his father was unprovoked, intense, sustained, and brutal.
"Brenton had simply been dropping off some shopping for his son, an act he did on a daily basis.
"I would like to pay tribute to Brenton’s family and the enormous dignity they have shown throughout this ordeal.
"While our investigation can never ease their pain, I hope that the conclusion of this trial provides them with some comfort."
In statements Brenton's family paid tribute to him.
One said: "Brenton was a loving dad, partner, brother, uncle, grandad and friend.
"His passing will mean as a family we will walk with an emptiness in our hearts, that can only be filled by remembering what infectious energy he had, how pure his heart was, and that he was always willing to do what he could to make you smile on a rainy day.
"We would like to thank the emergency services and the bystanders for their efforts to try and save our dad. We will now begin to rebuild our lives and adapt to something we never thought we would have to, a life without our king.
"He was the funniest, kindest person who touched so many people’s lives. He had the ability to light up a room in such an unassuming and modest way. We will never stop missing him."
Brenton’s younger brother Delvin Marriott said:
“This has been an extremely difficult process for our family, friends and community.
“I would like to thank the network of people and all professionals concerned who have supported us through this most difficult time.
“Brenton was well loved by so many and from the day I was born he has been by my side. He will be sorely missed. As his brother, I did my utmost to support him and his son, Rudi.
“Brenton thrived in his job at The British Red Cross, equipment services, aiding and supporting the community.
“Testimony to the love for Brenton and his widespread popularity is that over 3,000 Nottingham people attended his official sendoff ceremonies which included an unprecedented procession of high performance sports cars and Harley Davidson motorcycles.
“Brenton's memory lives on through us all, Praise be to God.”