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'Strangler' awaits appeal verdict 'Strangler' wins murders appeal
(about 5 hours later)
The man dubbed the Stockwell Strangler for the murders of seven people will find out later if an appeal on mental health grounds has been successful. The man dubbed the Stockwell Strangler for killing seven people has had his murder convictions reduced to manslaughter on appeal.
Kenneth Erskine is serving a minimum of 40 years for strangling the group of men and women aged between 67 and 94.Kenneth Erskine is serving a minimum of 40 years for strangling the group of men and women aged between 67 and 94.
Judges have been urged to quash his conviction and accept manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility. Judges had been urged to quash his conviction and accept manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility.
Psychiatric reports say Erskine was severely schizophrenic at the time of the offences in south London in 1986. Psychiatric reports said Erskine was severely schizophrenic at the time of the offences in south London in 1986.
'Utmost gravity''Utmost gravity'
Dr Andrew Horne, a consultant at Broadmoor Hospital told the Appeal Court hearing that Erskine's responsibility for his actions would have been diminished to a "massive degree" by his illness. Dr Andrew Horne, a consultant at Broadmoor Hospital, told the Appeal Court hearing that Erskine's responsibility for his actions would have been diminished to a "massive degree" by his illness.
Edward Fitzgerald QC, for Erskine, accepted the crimes were "of the utmost gravity".Edward Fitzgerald QC, for Erskine, accepted the crimes were "of the utmost gravity".
But he said medical experts agreed his client was suffering from "severe schizophrenia at the time of the offences".But he said medical experts agreed his client was suffering from "severe schizophrenia at the time of the offences".
Erskine, who was born in 1962, was 24 when he was sentenced in 1988 for the murders of the four men and three women.Erskine, who was born in 1962, was 24 when he was sentenced in 1988 for the murders of the four men and three women.
His mental condition was chronic and incurable, requiring life-long treatment, Mr Fitzgerald said.His mental condition was chronic and incurable, requiring life-long treatment, Mr Fitzgerald said.
The decision will be announced by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge and two other judges. More follows...