Mentally ill son who killed father locked up indefinitely

The son of a leading art historian who beat and stamped on his bedridden father before burning him to death was sent to a secure mental hospital indefinitely today.

Michael Johnson, 49, who suffered from paranoid psychosis, was given a hospital order for the manslaughter of 81-year-old Professor Lee Johnson who was housebound after a stroke.

Epileptic Michael had a history of attacking his father after he was prescribed anticonvulsion drug Keppra, triggering his paranoia and aggression.

In July 2006 Michael launched a "severe and sustained" attack, beating his father around the face, head and body.

He then set fire to his bed in the house in Lyndhurst Road, Hampstead. The retired University of Toronto Emeritus professor suffered burns to 90 per cent of his body and died of shock.

At the Old Bailey Johnson admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility. His barrister Nigel Lithman QC said: "In no ordinary circumstances would he have dreamt of harming him."

Granting an indefinite hospital order for the public protection, the Recorder of London Judge Peter Beaumont said the court was satisfied hewas suffering from a mental disorder at the time of the killing.