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Parent death plot man is detained Parent death plot man is detained
(41 minutes later)
A son has been given an indefinite hospital order for plotting with another man to kill his parents at their home in Lancashire.A son has been given an indefinite hospital order for plotting with another man to kill his parents at their home in Lancashire.
Christoper Monks, 25, and Shaun Skarnes, 20, were convicted at Preston Crown Court of conspiring to murder Monks' parents.Christoper Monks, 25, and Shaun Skarnes, 20, were convicted at Preston Crown Court of conspiring to murder Monks' parents.
Monks met Skarnes on the internet and persuaded him to stab the couple while they were asleep at their Chorley home.Monks met Skarnes on the internet and persuaded him to stab the couple while they were asleep at their Chorley home.
Skarnes, of Ellesmere Port, Merseyside, was given an indeterminate jail term.Skarnes, of Ellesmere Port, Merseyside, was given an indeterminate jail term.
He cannot be considered for parole for at least three and a half years.
Online exchanges
The murder plan failed when Monks' father woke to find Skarnes in his bedroom with a large kitchen knife.The murder plan failed when Monks' father woke to find Skarnes in his bedroom with a large kitchen knife.
Mr Monks, also called Christopher, and his wife Elizabeth fully supported their son at his trial last July.Mr Monks, also called Christopher, and his wife Elizabeth fully supported their son at his trial last July.
They said Monks, who was adopted at the age of 10 months, did not intend to take their lives.They said Monks, who was adopted at the age of 10 months, did not intend to take their lives.
They argued he suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, and was was unable to separate fantasy from reality.They argued he suffered from Asperger's syndrome, a form of autism, and was was unable to separate fantasy from reality.
The court heard that in a series of online exchanges, Monks told Skarnes he wanted his parents dead because he said they were over-protective and treated him like a child.The court heard that in a series of online exchanges, Monks told Skarnes he wanted his parents dead because he said they were over-protective and treated him like a child.
Significant risk
Sentencing the pair Mr Justice McCombe said it was a "most unusual case".
Referring to Mr and Mrs Monks, he said: "No court could fail to be moved by the unstinting love they have for their son, notwithstanding the enormity of the offence he committed.
"In their own words in a letter sent to me they say, 'Whatever sentence is passed, we will serve it with him'."
But he added that he did not have the "slightest hesitation" in believing both men continued to present a "significant" risk of harm to the public.
He agreed with psychiatric reports which said Monks would not flourish in the prison system and could only be properly rehabilitated in a secure hospital environment with specialist care to treat his condition.
The pair meticulously prepared the killings via messages after meeting online in November 2008, the court heard.
Obsessive thoughts
Skarnes pretended to catch a train home after visiting the Monks's home in Clayton-le-Woods, last February but his co-defendant later let him back in late at night and handed his accomplice the knife.
He told the court he was "astounded" to receive the knife but still considered it role play as he felt pressured going up the stairs.
When interviewed he claimed he accidentally dropped the knife after entering the bedroom and was seen picking it up when Mr Monks turned the light on.
The judge said he was satisfied it was likely that Skarnes probably relented from the attack just prior to the moment he was about to stab Monks' father.
Giving evidence, consultant psychiatrist Rakib Abdur explained Monks was "physically frail" and remained prone to obsessive thoughts and fantasy.
No mental illness was diagnosed in Skarnes' case but it was conceded he had clear psychological problems.