68-year-old man killed sister with hammer, Exeter court hears

Richard Law, aged 68, of Lark Rise, Newton Poppleford, was sentenced at Exeter Crown Court on Thursday 24 July, after he admitted the manslaughter of Judith Law by diminished responsibility.

Police were called to an address on Lark Rise, Newton Poppleford, soon after 1pm on Friday 17 January 2025, by Law, who told the call handler he had killed his sister.

In his initial call to police, Law said: “I’ve killed my sister, so I need you to come.”

Upon attendance, officers found Miss Law in an upstairs room with a serious head injury, and she was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Following his arrest on suspicion of murder, Law made a number of significant comments to officers on their way to custody in which he confirmed he had hit Judith with a hammer and that over the previous four weeks, since Christmas Day, his mental health had gone into decline.

He also said he had intended to take his own life after killing his sister and had had suicidal thoughts in the weeks leading up to the attack but couldn’t go through with it.

Law pleaded guilty to manslaughter by diminished responsibility at Exeter Crown Court on Friday 16 May.

Her Honour Judge Anna Richardson sentenced Law to a hospital order, under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act, with a Section 41 restriction.

Law will be detained in a secure hospital where he has been since January 2025.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Guy Biggar, from Devon and Cornwall Police’s Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “The family, friends and neighbours of Judith have endured a tragic loss in exceptionally sad circumstances.

“I would like to thank them for their support throughout this investigation and my thoughts, and those of the entire investigation team, are with them at this time.”

If you have been affected by crime, please visit victimcare-dc.org to access support services and information on your rights and how to navigate the criminal justice system. You can also call Victim Support on 08 08 16 89 111 or Devon and Cornwall Police’s Victim Care Unit on 01392 475900.