Man who stabbed victim to death in west London spared jail for hospital order

Man who stabbed victim to death in west London given hospital orderIt was determined that the killer had undiagnosed schizophreniaLeo Pryce was arrested the day after the killingMetropolitan Police

A man who admitted killing a new friend has been given a hospital order because of his undiagnosed schizophrenia.

Leo Pryce, 22, entered a plea of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey, which was accepted before his sentence was handed down on Thursday.

The trial heard how Pryce had befriended his victim James Donnelly, 45, in the weeks leading up to the attack at his home in Hayes, west London, on July 15 last year.

Police were called that morning and found Mr Donnelly had “been the victim of a sustained assault and had suffered stab injuries”.

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The knife used to kill Mr Donnelly was still at the scene.

Pryce was arrested the next day, after interviews with witnesses at the scene.

Leo PryceMetropolitan Police

He then entered his manslaughter plea, on top of pleading guilty to having an article with a blade or point and two counts of assault on an emergency services worker.

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb said: “I would like to thank the witnesses that provided accounts to police as this allowed us to establish what had taken place and to arrest Pryce at the earliest opportunity, safeguarding the public.

“This highlights the importance of our relationship with our communities.

James DonnellyMetropolitan Police

"I cannot begin to imagine the pain and distress James Donnelly’s family endured following this horrific incident and I hope that Leo Pryce’s conviction will bring them some solace.”