A MAN who lived with untreated psychosis for six years before stabbing three men more than 60 times “had an inability to exercise self-control”, a court heard.
Tom Saunders, 35, left brothers Danny Gibson, 35, and Jason Gibson, 32, with more than 45 knife wounds after the “brutal” rampage at their flat in Wellesley Road, Colchester, on October 5 2019.
Richard Booth, 35, was found lifeless behind the wheel of his car nearby, having likely been killed by Saunders after he left he building.
Saunders, who has paranoid schizophrenia, admitted three counts of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and is facing sentence at Ipswich Crown Court.
Tracy Ayling QC, for Saunders, took the court to a section of a report prepared by consultant psychiatrist Dr Richard Pool.
She said Dr Pool had voiced the opinion at the time of the killings Saunders “did not hold the ability to form a rational judgement and exercise self-control”.
Quoting the report, she said: “The impact of Tom Saunders’ recognised medical condition upon him - which included him perceiving, without foundation, he was under threat for his own life - combined with an inability to form rational judgements and an inability to exercise self-control, provides an explanation for his acts and omissions in each of the three killings.”
Prosecutor Karim Khalil QC said three days prior to the killings, Saunders had left a note on his computer expressing the view his nephews Jason and Danny Gibson were part of the Illuminati.
The court previously heard at a family gathering in the hours before the killings, Saunders was spotted returning home with a Sports Direct bag containing black clothing and frantically cutting the tags off.
READ MORE: Killer stabbed three men after voicing fears the Illuminati were 'taking over'
He then produced two “large” knives and showed them off to an “alarmed” family member before making his way to the scene, the court heard.
Despite their misgivings, his mother was said to “not seem unduly concerned as he was always buying ‘random items’,” the prosecutor said.
Saunders returned home later in the evening covered in blood claiming he “made sure (he) finished them off,” prompting his family to call the police.
- The hearing continues.
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