Man given life sentence after three men killed in Colchester
Tom Saunders, who had paranoid schizophrenia, admitted to the manslaughter of Danny Gibson, Jason Gibson and Richard Booth
Last updated 17th Mar 2022
A man who stabbed three people to death has been handed a life sentence and detained under the Mental Health Act.
Tom Saunders, who had paranoid schizophrenia, killed his cousins, Danny Gibson, 35, and 32-year-old Jason Gibson, at their flat in Colchester in Essex.
The brothers suffered more than 45 knife wounds in total during the "brutal" rampage on October 5 2019.
Family friend Richard Booth, 35, was found lifeless behind the wheel of his Rover vehicle in a car park nearby, having likely been killed by Saunders as he left the scene.
Saunders denied murdering the three men but admitted three counts of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility, and these pleas were accepted by the prosecution.
The 35-year-old also admitted having an offensive weapon in a public place, in relation to the knife he used to kill them.
He was handed a life sentence at Ipswich Crown Court on Thursday and must serve a minimum of 18 years and eight months before he can be considered for release, Essex Police said.
The force said Saunders will serve his sentence in a secure hospital and, if deemed mentally fit to be discharged at any point during his sentence, he will be transferred to a prison for the remainder.
The Gibson brothers were probably killed after letting Saunders into their flat in Wellesley Road, the court heard.
Mr Booth, a friend of the family, was stabbed at least 21 times after a confrontation, which was picked up on a recording from his own dashcam deemed too graphic to be played in court.
Prosecutor Karim Khalil QC said Saunders had been refusing help and medication for his mental illness in the period leading up to the killings.
The barrister described the attack as "calculated and devastating", adding: "It is striking and remarkable that he managed to kill three men in such a brutal manner."
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said afterwards: "The actions of Tom Saunders have led to three young men losing their lives in the most horrific and brutal way.
"I want to pay tribute to the courage and dignity their families have shown throughout this process.
"These tragic incidents have left them devastated and has had a massive impact on them.
"Saunders poses a very real danger to the public and I'm pleased he's now not going to be able to endanger the safety of others."