Whittington man Ashley Francis found not guilty of murdering grandfather after pleading insanity

A 27-year-old man has been found not guilty of murdering his grandfather by reason of insanity.

Norwich Crown Court heard that Ashley Francis, of Whittington Hill, Whittington, stabbed his 81-year-old grandfather in the neck while he was psychotic and “hearing voices”.

Today, he was found not guilty by reason of insanity after jurors unanimously accepted the evidence of two psychiatrists that he was suffering a major mental illness.

The court heard that Francis was close to his grandparents and would often stay with them at their home on Main Street, Hockwold.

However, in the weeks before the tragedy, the mental health issues he had been experiencing for some years had worsened.

He was unable to sleep and had extreme paranoia, which distressed his family - who were helping him to work with the mental health crisis team towards diagnosis and treatment.

Although he had medication he was, by his own admission, “inconsistent” in taking it.

On February 29 last year, Francis was dropped off by his mother at his grandparents' house where he was due to meet with the crisis team.

Shortly afterwards at around 8.50am, police were called to reports a man had been stabbed in the neck.

The unprovoked violence was carried out by Francis in front of his grandmother using a knife he had brought from home.

His grandfather was taken to hospital, where he underwent surgery but died on March 7, 2024.

Francis was arrested at the scene on suspicion of attempted murder. The charge was upgraded to murder after his grandfather died.

He denied the allegation and a defence of insanity was put forward. He has been on remand in a psychiatric hospital since.

During the trial, which commenced last Wednesday, expert evidence was heard from two psychiatrists who agreed Francis was insane at the time of the attack due to his major mental illness.

Both prosecution and defence counsels had agreed, and having heard all the evidence and after deliberations, the jury delivered a unanimous 'special verdict' of 'not guilty by reason of insanity’.

A sentence hearing has been set for May 21.

Detective Superintendent Stuart Chapman said: “This has been a very sad and tragic case where evidence was heard of the major mental illness that Ashley Francis was suffering which led to such devastating consequences.

"The evidence allowed the jury to reach this special verdict and my thoughts are with the family in what has been a very difficult time for them.”