{"id":182614,"date":"2023-10-13T17:13:34","date_gmt":"2023-10-13T17:13:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/?p=182614"},"modified":"2023-10-13T17:13:34","modified_gmt":"2023-10-13T17:13:34","slug":"pensioner-84-murdered-fellow-retirement-home-resident-with-a-spade","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/precoinnews.com\/world-news\/pensioner-84-murdered-fellow-retirement-home-resident-with-a-spade\/","title":{"rendered":"Pensioner, 84, murdered fellow retirement home resident with a spade"},"content":{"rendered":"
An 84-year-old man has admitted murder after he attacked a fellow resident at a retirement home.<\/p>\n
Thomas Dunn used a spade to assault Royston Costello, 60, who was left in critical condition in hospital.<\/p>\n
It’s understood Mr Costello was attacked in his flat after a row between the pair about scratches and damage to their vehicles escalated.<\/p>\n
Dunn was arrested and initially charged with Section 18 assault, wounding with intent, following the incident at Oakdene Court, in Sandbach, Cheshire, in February.<\/p>\n
But Mr Costello died two months later – on April 20 – and Dunn was subsequently charged with murder.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Thomas Dunn, 84, has admitted murder after he attacked fellow resident Royston Costello, 60, at retirement home\u00a0Oakdene Court (pictured), in Sandbach, Cheshire, in February<\/p>\n
Dunn pleaded guilty when he appeared today for a brief hearing at Chester Crown Court.<\/p>\n
The court heard that psychiatric reports had been ordered in the case because of a ‘pre-existing’ mental health condition.<\/p>\n
Judge Steven Everett, the Honorary Recorder of Chester, asked if there was a suggestion he could take a ‘medical approach’ to sentencing.<\/p>\n
Peter Wright KC, in mitigation, said: ‘There is, we would submit, here observations by Professor Nathan which are consistent with the factors that are capable of mitigating the offence by virtue of a pre-existing, underlying mental ill health and abnormality.<\/p>\n
‘But one that’s insufficient to satisfy the requirement of defence of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.’<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
It’s understood Mr Costello was attacked in his flat (file photo of a residence at the retirement home) after a row between the pair about scratches and damage to their vehicles escalated<\/p>\n
Mr Wright added that Dunn had underlying health issues due to cancer.<\/p>\n
The judge said the ‘reality’ was the length of the minimum term in prison he would impose.<\/p>\n
He adjourned the case and remanded Dunn, of Sandbach, in custody for sentencing on November 17, warning him that he faced an automatic life sentence.<\/p>\n
‘It’s inevitable that I will pass a sentence of life imprisonment,’ the judge said.<\/p>\n
‘The real issue is how long I make your minimum term.<\/p>\n
‘I genuinely haven’t given any thought to that at this stage.<\/p>\n
‘I will consider that when I have all the relevant information in front of me.’<\/p>\n