Young man sentenced to indefinite hospital care after fatal stabbing of landlord
A 23-year-old was convicted of manslaughter by diminished responsibility for stabbing his 71-year-old landlord over a delusional belief he was being poisoned.
In Norwich, Moses Fernandes, 23, stabbed 71-year-old landlord Terry McFadyen with a kitchen knife, delivering at least 179 injuries that led to fatal blood loss. Earlier that morning Fernandes had phoned emergency services, saying he believed he was being poisoned and needed help. He also messaged a woman, Sarah McRoberts, claiming the landlord had poisoned him and transferred £8,778 to her.
Medical assessment identified a schizophrenia-like illness, and Fernandes entered a guilty plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility. The judge noted the attack stemmed from a first psychotic episode and ordered indefinite detention in a secure hospital.
Why it matters
The case highlights how untreated severe mental illness can lead to violent tragedies and raises questions about mental health support.
In this story
