Tom Saunders stabbings: Killer posed 'very real risk to the public'

Tom Saunders, 35, stabbed his two nephews Danny and Jason Gibson, before killing their friend Richard Booth, after becoming paranoid they were “out to get him”.

He inflicted more than 40 stab wounds on the Gibson brothers, before stabbing Mr Booth 21 times through an open car window.

He admitted three counts of manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility and one count of possessing a knife.

Saunders was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 18 years and eight months until he can be considered for parole.

He will remain at a high security hospital until he is deemed medically fit to be transferred to prison.

The scene of the killings in Wellesley Road, Colchester

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Scott Egerton, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “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.”

The brothers were likely killed after letting Saunders into their flat in Wellesley Road, Colchester, the court heard.

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Mr Booth, a friend of the family, had been 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: “(Mr Booth) reversed into a parking space in the car park and was then approached by the defendant who had exited the block of flats … there was an exchange captured on the dashcam to this effect: ‘you alright’ and ‘yeah you’?

“A thud can then be heard… followed by a repeated thudding noise which is plainly the defendant penetrating with a knife, stabbing (Mr Booth) repeatedly.

“The defendant is then heard to say, ‘How does that feel? How does that f***ing feel?’”

Saunders had been refusing help and medication for his mental illness in the period leading up to the killings, the prosecutor said.

His mother Christine said in a statement he had become “reclusive” and “played the radio constantly,” referencing news stories about “Boris Johnson, Brexit” and “Extinction Rebellion protests, claiming everyone was going to be killed by people wearing masks”.

He told other relatives he believed his cousins would “team up” against him and began to view Mr Booth as an adversary despite being close to him as he grew increasingly delusional, the court heard.