Man who shot mother in the face to be detained at clinic
A man who killed his mother in Stafford by shooting her in the face at close range has been ordered to be detained in a clinic in Birmingham where he can get help for a mental disorder.
Joseph Gray pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 47-year-old professional childminder Susan Gray at her home on October 27, 2011, at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court today.
Mrs Gray was found by a neighbour, who had a key, at the foot of the stairs in her home in Oxford Gardens at around 8am after one of her child-minding customers arrived at the house but received no answer.
Gray, of no fixed abode, was arrested and initially charged with her murder but ruled unfit to plead.
The 26-year-old, formerly of Sandyford Court, Stafford, was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of mental problems.
He was detained in a secure hospital indefinitely, but the Crown Prosecution Service later declared he was fit to plead.
Judge Simon Tonking handed him a hospital order today which means he will be readmitted to and detained at the Reaside Clinic in Birmingham until further notice.
