Hospital order given following Devon stabbing

The attacker admitted manslaugher by diminished responsibility

A London man has been handed an indefininte hospital order he stabbed his uncle to death in a Devon village.

Johnathan Harper was found inside a property in Brampford Speke in July 2024. He was in cardiac arrest, but ambulance crews were unable to save him and we was pronounced dead at the scene.

Corin Harper-Davis, 37, of Hither Green in London, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court after admitting manslaughter by diminished responsibility.

 The court heard that there had been a steady decline in Harper-Davis' mental health of Harper-Davis over a period of months, which declined significantly in the days before the incident.

Witnesses and medical experts said that Harper-Davis was experiencing a psychotic illness at the time he attacked his uncle, who had attended the property in Brampford Speke to provide him with help and to support him.

During the course of the evening, after they had both been shopping, the defendant suddenly became aggressive, attacking his uncle without warning or provocation.

Her Honour Judge Anna Richardson sentenced Harper-Davis to a hospital order, under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act, with a Section 41 restriction.

He be detained in a secure hospital where he has been since October 2024. 

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Guy Biggar, from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This is a truly tragic case, and I would like to pass on my thanks and condolences to Jonathan’s partner and son, both of whom have shown real bravery and compassion at an incredibly difficult time.

“I would also like to thank those other members of the Harper family who supported our investigation from the outset and the members of the community in Brampford Speke who rushed to Jonathan’s aid and engaged with Corin until police units arrived.”