A HANDYMAN who killed a Knypersley pensioner in her home has been detained under a hospital order.

Kenneth Andrew McDermid was sentenced today at Stafford Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Wendy Morse, 71.

Wendy was found at her home in Tunstall Road just after 7pm on Sunday, March 22 last year.

McDermid, 43, of Rosemary Place, Sneyd Green was arrested by authorities in Sweden five days later having fled to the country following the killing.

The court heard evidence that McDermid, who is also known as Kyle McKenzie, had been engaged with mental health services for a number of years and was suffering from a complex form of mental illness before, and at the time of, the offence.

Ms Morse's son and daughter said in a family tribute to their mother: "Mum was a truly unique and irreplaceable woman taken from us too soon.

"The actions and choices of Mr McDermid caused the horrific death of our mum. Fortunately, we are left with happy memories of how mum influenced all of our lives. We hope her death will lead to improvements in mental and social care."

McDermid was carrying out improvement works to Ms Morse's home in the weeks leading up to her killing.

Senior Investigating Officer, Det. Insp. Cheryl Hannan, said: "There was no clear animosity between the two but clearly something happened for the situation to end this way. However, it's possible we'll never know what instigated the attack that led to Wendy's death.

"McDermid was first identified as a suspect after we established that he'd made contact with Wendy in the days leading up to her disappearance and we soon realised that he'd successfully left the country.

"This raised suspicions because we were heading into the first lockdown and it wasn't easy for anyone to fly anywhere."

CCTV footage, alongside phone data and witness evidence, helped police link McDermid with the victim's address on Thursday, March 19. She was not seen or heard about from that date.

The detective added: "Now, McDermid, as part of his sentence, will receive the treatment that he needs in a secure environment that keeps the community safe.

"I hope this goes some way to giving the family some closure after what has been a truly difficult year for them.

"I'd like to thank them for their support and courage during our investigation and would like to issue thanks to Swedish authorities along with the CPS for their help in detaining McDermid in March last year and achieving justice for Wendy."

McDermid's hospital order has been issued with restrictions after he admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility for unlawfully killing Ms Morse.