June Sanderson, 73, was battered so badly by Steven Sanderson, who has paranoid schizophrenia, she died from her injuries in Blyth in July 2019
The daughters of a woman killed by her son have said there were “so many missed opportunities” to avoid the tragedy.
June Sanderson, 73, was so badly beaten by Steven Sanderson, who has paranoid schizophrenia, that she died from her injuries.
A court heard Sanderson, 42, punched her, banged her head against a wall, strangled and headbutted her, while his Pit Bull terrier also bit her during a prolonged attack after he locked her inside his home in Blyth, Northumberland, in July 2019.
Sanderson was originally charged with murder but was ruled unfit to plead in December 2020. A finding of facts hearing was held in front of a jury and on December 18, 2020, the jury determined he had carried out the acts that led to his mum’s death.
However, this was overturned in January after reports indicated he had become fit to plead following his treatment during six years in a secure hospital, according to Northumbria Police.
Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Sanderson pleaded not guilty to murder but admitted manslaughter and was placed under a hospital order. The court heard Mrs Sanderson had been living in sheltered accommodation in Blyth at the time of the attack. She had suffered a stroke in 2014 and other health issues but remained fit and active, ChronicleLive reports.
The widowed mum of four, who was also a grandmother, visited her son almost daily and provided him with financial and emotional support. The court heard Sanderson, who lived in Wellington Street, Blyth, had a long history of mental health problems and drug misuse. He suffers from schizophrenia with paranoid delusions, including a belief that others could read his thoughts. He had been admitted to psychiatric hospitals and received repeated medical intervention over many years.
In the months leading up to the attack, Mrs Sanderson told local residents in the area that she lived that their relationship had become strained due to his mental health difficulties. She said he had become increasingly aggressive and that she was frightened by his behaviour.
On July 30, she went to his home in the morning, as she usually did, arriving at around 9.20am. A passer-by heard a dog barking aggressively inside shortly afterwards. Minutes later, the woman saw Mrs Sanderson leaving the property in a distressed and dishevelled state, with her coat and handbag ripped.
When asked if she was alright, she replied: “No, my son has attacked me and his dog has bitten me.” She had a serious arm injury and was bleeding heavily. An ambulance was called, and she told those at the scene her son had punched and tried to strangle her. She also said the dog had bitten her arms during the attack.
Paramedics found lacerations and puncture wounds to her arms and hands, along with severe facial bruising. She said an argument had broken out before the attack, adding that Sanderson had locked the door to stop her leaving before eventually letting her out.
Police later spoke to Mrs Sanderson in hospital, where she gave an account of the attack. At the time, no one realised how seriously injured she was, the court heard.
She told officers her son had shouted and sworn before attacking her, and that while he had not set the dog on her, he did nothing to stop it. She also told her daughter: “Steven battered me,” adding that he had headbutted, strangled and punched her, and banged her head against a wall.
By 2.40pm, her condition deteriorated and she was found to have suffered an acute bleed on the brain. She underwent surgery but did not recover and died on August 4 surrounded by her family.
A post-mortem examination found she died as a result of bleeding on the brain caused by blunt force trauma consistent with punches and her head being struck against a wall. She also had multiple bruises to her chest, abdomen, back and limbs, as well as bite marks to her arms.
In a joint victim impact statement, Mrs Sanderson’s daughters, Karen and Joanne, said: “Our mam died seven years ago and we have been to hell and back. We are now at the point where we have come to terms with what happened and want to draw a line under things.
“Steven still needs our support. He has improved but is still really unwell. We still see him and speak to him regularly. We want him to be well but it’s clear he still has some way to go. He is in the right place, receiving treatment and he can’t hurt anyone else.
“There were so many missed opportunities to get help for Steven and it’s just a shame mam had to die to get the help he needed.”
Their brother, Kelly, said he felt “such anger towards Steven” for killing their mother. He said he had previously reported Sanderson’s behaviour to police but added: “Mam loved Steven and would not support a prosecution.”
Referring to the footage of Mrs Sanderson speaking to police before her condition deteriorated, he said: “I believe she had finally had enough of his behaviour and would have wanted him prosecuted.
“I do believe had she not died, her death at the hands of Steven would have happened at some point.” He added that while he is aware his sisters are still in touch with their brother: “I do not want to see or speak with him again.”
John Elvidge KC, defending, said: “Unfortunately, there were missed opportunities here. It’s important to say that Steven Sanderson, while perhaps not fully understanding the gravity of his position, was concerned in the weeks leading up to the incident about his health and he made repeated attempts to seek help, as did members of his family, in particular his sisters, which is disconcerting and distressing to know.
“His mother was a tremendous support for him and he is deeply remorseful about what he has done when he was seriously unwell.”
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