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Drugs soldier jailed for killing Drugs soldier jailed for killing
(1 day later)
A soldier who killed a teacher with a pair of garden shears after smoking home-grown cannabis has been jailed for 10 years.A soldier who killed a teacher with a pair of garden shears after smoking home-grown cannabis has been jailed for 10 years.
Laurie Draper, 30, killed Paul Butterworth, 53, in the back garden of the victim's home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, on 7 March.Laurie Draper, 30, killed Paul Butterworth, 53, in the back garden of the victim's home in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, on 7 March.
He admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.He admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
St Albans Crown Court heard that Draper suffered from hypomania, a psychotic reaction triggered by smoking cannabis.St Albans Crown Court heard that Draper suffered from hypomania, a psychotic reaction triggered by smoking cannabis.
A charge of murder was dropped by the prosecution because of the medical evidence.A charge of murder was dropped by the prosecution because of the medical evidence.
At the time of the attack, the Iraq veteran, based at Roman Barracks in Colchester, Essex, had been smoking cannabis given to him by his victim shortly before the killing.At the time of the attack, the Iraq veteran, based at Roman Barracks in Colchester, Essex, had been smoking cannabis given to him by his victim shortly before the killing.
Diminished responsibilityDiminished responsibility
Draper also admitted assaulting Mr Butterworth's son Ashley on the same date.Draper also admitted assaulting Mr Butterworth's son Ashley on the same date.
Mr Butterworth worked as a craft and design teacher at Sheredes School in Hoddesdon.Mr Butterworth worked as a craft and design teacher at Sheredes School in Hoddesdon.
Ann Evans, prosecuting, told the court earlier she was accepting the plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility because of the "exceptional circumstances".Ann Evans, prosecuting, told the court earlier she was accepting the plea of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility because of the "exceptional circumstances".
She said: "There is no suggestion that even shortly before the act there was any ill-feeling between the parties at all."She said: "There is no suggestion that even shortly before the act there was any ill-feeling between the parties at all."
'Appalling attack''Appalling attack'
Jailing Draper, a lance corporal with more than eight years "exemplary" service, Judge Findlay Baker QC told him: "Your conduct became at first strange, then alarming, then delusional. Jailing Draper, a lance corporal with more than eight years' "exemplary" service, Judge Findlay Baker QC told him: "Your conduct became at first strange, then alarming, then delusional.
"Resisting attempts to calm you down, you attacked Paul Butterworth.""Resisting attempts to calm you down, you attacked Paul Butterworth."
Anyone who unlawfully takes a dangerous mind-altering controlled drug and who then finds that his mind is altered in unexpected and undesired ways must take responsibility for his subsequent actions Judge Findlay Baker QCAnyone who unlawfully takes a dangerous mind-altering controlled drug and who then finds that his mind is altered in unexpected and undesired ways must take responsibility for his subsequent actions Judge Findlay Baker QC
The judge added that Draper also tried to attack Mr Butterworth's son Ashley when he tried to drag his now dead father's body away from the vicious onslaught. Ashley was forced to flee to save his own life.The judge added that Draper also tried to attack Mr Butterworth's son Ashley when he tried to drag his now dead father's body away from the vicious onslaught. Ashley was forced to flee to save his own life.
The judge added: "He did what he could to protect his father, no-one could have expected him to do more.The judge added: "He did what he could to protect his father, no-one could have expected him to do more.
"This was an appalling attack of extreme and persistent violence. And I have no doubt it would not have happened if you had not consumed cannabis."This was an appalling attack of extreme and persistent violence. And I have no doubt it would not have happened if you had not consumed cannabis.
"Anyone who unlawfully takes a dangerous mind-altering controlled drug and who then finds that his mind is altered in unexpected and undesired ways must take responsibility for his subsequent actions.""Anyone who unlawfully takes a dangerous mind-altering controlled drug and who then finds that his mind is altered in unexpected and undesired ways must take responsibility for his subsequent actions."