Killer from Northumberland who decapitated her mother given hospital order by judge

Odessa Carey beat her mum, who was also called Odessa Carey, to death at her home then used a knife and scissors to cut off her head.

The 36-year-old also cut a cross shape into her abdomen.

At Newcastle Crown Court the killer, who has "chronic psychotic mental illness" and suffers from a recognised mental disorder, most likely paranoid schizophrenia, which is "long standing and treatment resilient" has now been given an indefinite hospital order.

The court court heard Carey is suffering from a significant mental illness, has "paranoid and delusional beliefs" and does not believe she is mentally unwell.

The 73-year-old victim's headless corpse was found on her bed and her head was found at a house where Carey Jnr was found hiding in the loft.

After a trial of the facts, a jury found Carey, of no fixed address, who is "acutely psychotic" and is currently held at Rampton hospital, did commit the act of murder.

Andrew Espley, prosecuting, said: "The affect of Odessa Carey's death on family and friends that she had has been profound.

"She was much loved and is much missed."

Mr Espley said the family had provided statements after the death and added: "They feared for the safety of Odessa Carey, feared Odessa Carey might hurt her and hurt her seriously.

"Odessa was inconsistent in the taking of prescribed medication.

"They also reported a history of violence and aggression to Odessa Carey, towards former partners and others in her life."

John Elvidge QC, defending, said: "The defendant, Miss Odessa Carey, has a documented history of mental illness.

"At the time of her arrest and act she committed, Odessa Carey's mental state was likely to have been highly abnormal.

"The defendant continues to be tormented by her belief that the body recovered from (the address) was not that of her mother."

Judge Paul Sloan QC told Carey: "You have a long history of mental illness, at present you remain acutely unwell.

"On the Friday, Saturday night when she was on her bed, in her bedroom and at a time you were probably in a delusional state you attacked her with a mallet.

"She tried to protect herself against the blows, holding her hands up to shield her face.

"You continued to strike her repeatedly with the mallet, at least eight times, causing significant injuries.

"Severe blunt force head injuries.

"On the Saturday morning you left the house and went about your business, withdrawing money, purchasing pear cider on two separate occasions."

He then described Carey Jnr decapitating her mother.

Judge Sloan QC described Odessa Carey Snr and said she was a "caring, loving lady who in turn was much loved by her family, a close knit family, she is greatly missed".

He added: "Her loss is all the harder to bare given the tragic circumstances in which it occurred.

"Nothing I could say even begin to ease the pain suffered by Odessa Carey's family and friends."

He added, addressing Carey Jnr: "You do not fall to be sentenced or punished."

Carey Jnr was handed a hospital order and restriction order and will remain at Rampton Hospital, a "national high secure health care service".