Ashley Francis, of Kings Lynn, given hospital order after killing grandfather in Hockwold

A man who killed his grandfather during a psychotic episode has been made the subject of a hospital order.

Ashley Francis, 27, stabbed his 81-year-old grandfather in the neck at his home in Main Street, Hockwold, while he was psychotic and hearing voices.

At Norwich Crown Court in March, jurors found Francis, of Whittington Hill, in Whittington, King’s Lynn, not guilty by reason of insanity — accepting evidence from two psychiatrists that he was suffering from a major mental illness.

Today, Francis appeared again at Norwich Crown Court and was sentenced to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act with a Section 41 restriction order.

This means he cannot be released without approval from the Ministry of Justice.

The court previously heard that Francis was close to his grandparents and often stayed with them.

However, in the weeks before the incident, his longstanding mental health issues had worsened.

Although he had medication, Francis admitted to being ‘inconsistent’ at taking it.

On February 29, 2024, Francis was dropped off by his mother at his grandparents' house where he was due to meet with the crisis team.

Shortly after, at around 8:50am, police were called following reports that a man had been stabbed in the neck — a spontaneous act carried out in front of his grandmother with a knife he had brought from home.

His grandfather was taken to hospital for surgery but died on March 7, 2024.

Francis was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder — though the charge was later upgraded to murder following his grandfather’s death.

He denied the allegation and a defence of insanity was put forward.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Chapman said: “This has been a very sad and tragic case where evidence was heard of the major mental illness that Ashley Francis was suffering which led to such devastating consequences.

“The evidence allowed the jury to reach this special verdict and my thoughts are with the family in what has been a very difficult time for them.”