This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/8149050.stm

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
'Strangler' wins murders appeal 'Strangler' wins murders appeal
(9 minutes later)
The man dubbed the Stockwell Strangler for killing seven people has had his murder convictions reduced to manslaughter on appeal. A 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 had 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 said 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' The decision was announced by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, and two other judges at the Court of Appeal in London.
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. Erskine's case centred on fresh medical evidence that he was suffering from an "abnormality" of the mind which substantially diminished his responsibility for the crimes.
Chronic and incurable
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".
Dr Andrew Horne, a consultant at Broadmoor Hospital, told the hearing that Erskine's responsibility for his actions would have been diminished to a "massive degree" by his illness.
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.
The trial judge in 1988 recommended a 40-year minimum term but no exact tariff was set.
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.
More follows...More follows...