Man admits killing grandmother in her own home near Pontypridd

A man has admitted killing a Welsh grandmother in her own home in what's been described as a 'horrific' chainsaw attack.

Today, at Cardiff Crown Court, 26 year old Luke Deeley - who was initially charged with murder - pleaded guilty to manslaughter by way of diminished responsibility, with doctors saying his paranoid schizophrenia had affected his actions at the time.

It follows the death of 65 year old June Fox-Roberts who was found at her village home near Pontypridd in November 2021 - where she was discovered 'dismembered'.

Cardiff Crown Court heard Deeley was not known to Mrs Fox-Roberts, with her death shocking villagers in Llantwit Fardre at the time of her killing, and Deeley was arrested two days later.

Prosecutor John Hipkin KC said Deeley had been assessed by three doctors under the mental health act while on remand at Ashworth secure hospital.

He said: "All of those reports are of the same opinion that at the material time the defendant was suffering from an abnormality of mind - that being paranoid schizophrenia."

Mr Hipkin said prosecutors had met with Mrs Fox-Roberts' family to discuss the doctors' assessments.

He said: "The position has been given great consideration and the crown accept that plea because of the opinions of three eminent psychiatrists who are of the same view."

He said that the doctors "directly indicate that the sad killing of Mrs Fox-Roberts and the defendant's psychiatric condition are linked."

Bearded Deeley, of Pontypridd, wearing a fleece-lined denim jacket attended the hearing via videolink and spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas.

Judge Mr Justice Griffiths said: "The defendants mental illness substantially impaired his ability to understand the nature of his conduct, he substantially impaired his ability to form a rational judgement, and it substantially impaired his ability to exercise self control."

Mrs Fox-Roberts' family described her as a "kind hearted, generous woman who was never happier than when with family and friends around her" - and was said to also be a renowned cook who ran a nearby family bakery.

Mrs Fox-Roberts had three children named Trisha, Sebastian and Abigail.

A statement from her family said: “We are in utter shock about the death of our mother. Her murder will never make sense to us.

"She was a kind hearted, generous woman who was never happier than when with family and friends around her.

“She loved her family dearly and we will never be the same. We are heartbroken."

He'll be sentenced at Swansea Crown Court next month.

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