Schizophrenic son killed father after escaping from hospital ward

A man with paranoid schizophrenia absconded from a mental health unit and fatally attacked his father an hour later, a court has heard.

Daniel Harrison, 37, punched, kicked and stamped on Dr Kim Harrison, 68, during a sustained assault at the family home in Clydach, Swansea.

Harrison had become increasingly paranoid and believed his mother, Jane, was in danger from her husband and needed protection.

Swansea Crown Court heard Harrison had been detained under the Mental Health Act at Neath Port Talbot Hospital just 10 days before the assault because of “severe” aggression towards his parents.

His mental health had been deteriorating since 2018 and he had stopped taking his medication.

Harrison, who had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia aged 22, fled from the ward on the afternoon of 12 March this year when a nurse using a swipe card opened a secure door.

He barged past her and ran from the hospital and took a taxi to the centre of Clydach before walking to his parents’ home at Conniston Hall.

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Staff at the ward phoned Mrs Harrison to warn her that her son had absconded, and she and her husband locked all the windows and doors – fearing for their safety.

When he arrived, Mrs Harrison went to the library to phone the police and as she made the call, she heard her husband unlocking the back door to let her son in.

William Hughes QC, prosecuting, said: “She did not hear any voices or noises during the five minutes she was in the library.

“She went into the kitchen and there she saw her husband laying on his back. She could see he had shocking facial injuries.”

After the attack, Harrison fled on foot and took a bus to Swansea railway station where he caught a train to London and was arrested two days later.

Harrison told police he felt “manipulated” by his parents and his father had caused him “trauma”.

“He said he attacked his father punching him in the face, and then throwing him to the floor and punching and kicking him to the head,” Mr Hughes said.

“He also told the police he had used a broom handle he found lying on the floor. He also stated he stood on his father’s throat with his shoes on and stamped on his face with the heel of his shoe.

“As he assaulted him, he told police he had shouted abuse at his father calling him a ‘f****** c***’. He said later he had attempted to kill his father.”

Mr Harrison, a retired specialist in pulmonary fibrosis, died on 9 April from blunt force trauma to the head and neck.

The defendant had denied murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Judge Paul Thomas QC imposed hospital orders under Section 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act – meaning Harrison will be detained indefinitely in a secure unit.

In a statement after his death, Dr Harrison’s family said: “Kim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend – a man of great patience, modesty and integrity.

“Kim was a well renowned and respected doctor who strove to ensure that his patients were always offered the best care.”

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