Man given indefinite hospital order after killing

A man has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after he admitted killing another man.

Graham Janes, of Peartree Drive in Chard, Somerset, was sentenced at Bristol Crown Court after he admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and actual bodily harm.

The 50-year-old fatally attacked Colin Lawson who took him into his home in Mare Lane, South Petherton, on 22 August 2025, while Janes was experiencing mental health difficulties. Janes was initially charged with murder but psychiatrists agreed his state of mind had substantially contributed to his actions.

Det Con Stephanie Craig, from Avon and Somerset Police, said the case had been "extremely sad and distressing".

Lawson, who had severely impaired vision, suffered multiple injuries including stab wounds in the attack which took place in front of his family.

Dominic Redding, whose mother Josephine was in a relationship with Lawson, also suffered injury to his arm when he tried to intervene during the attack.

In a statement read out in court, Josephine said losing her partner of five years had "broken" her heart.

"He was my partner, my best friend and the person I trusted more than anyone else," she said.

"He was my greatest source of support and the person I wanted to grow old with. We had hoped to marry and spend the rest of our lives together.

"The future we planned, the memories we should have made and the life we should have shared have all been taken from us," she said.

Dominic described Lawson as "the only real father figure" he had in his life.

"The hardest thing for me is knowing that I can never talk to Colin again," he said.

"Whenever I need advice, support or reassurance, he is no longer there.

"I miss him every single day. I am heartbroken that he has been taken from my mum, my brother, my sister, my daughter, and me," he said.

Craig said Lawson had done "everything he could" in his final moments to keep his loved ones safe in the attack.

"We should also commend the courage of Dominic Redding, who bravely intervened in what will have been an incredibly frightening situation and was injured in doing so.

"We offer our condolences to Colin's family at what will be an extremely emotional time, and we sincerely hope they're able to rebuild their lives," she said.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.