Man who killed own father in ‘horrific’ attack admits manslaughter

The victim was found at his home

A man who stabbed his father in a “horrific act of violence” pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Adam Merritt stabbed 60-year-old Robert Merritt 16 times at home in Orton Malborne, Peterborough, in June 2022.

Mr Merritt was found at his home in the early hours of June 29, 2022. He was found with injuries and was declared dead shortly afterwards. A post-mortem examination concluded that Mr Merritt died from stab wounds.

His son, Merritt, was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and was taken to Thorpe Wood Police Station. He was since charged with murder.

Merritt had lived with a chronic psychiatric disorder since 2008, according to the BBC. He reportedly stopped taking his anti-psychotic medication two weeks before the attack but had taken a dose of medicine the day before stabbing his father to death, the jury heard.

On Friday, August 14, Merritt pleaded not guilty to murder, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He was handed a Section 37 hospital order and Section 41 restrictions order.

Detective Superintendent Iain Moor, from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Major Crime Unit, said: “What Adam Merritt did that day was a horrific act of violence, which saw a man who was a father, a grandfather, a friend, and a neighbour tragically lose his life. The whole case is terribly sad and my thoughts and sympathies are with the family.”