A SCHIZOPHRENIC who slashed his mother's throat in a brutal knife attack faces being locked up for the rest of his life.
A SCHIZOPHRENIC who slashed his mother's throat in a brutal knife attack faces being locked up for the rest of his life.
Michael Torrie from Pocklington, who has a long history of mental health problems, was sent to a secure institution last week af
ter admitting the manslaughter of 82-year-old Ivy Torrie on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Shockwaves spread through the community last September when news broke of the gruesome discovery of the pensioner's body at her home on The Oval.
Her son Michael was told at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday that his chances of ever being released would be slim after the 43-year-old admitted causing the fatal neck wounds to his mother.
Mr Justice Tugendhat said that due to the brutality of the crime, Torrie should not be released from the secure hospital without the consideration of the Home Secretary.
He commented: "This offence was committed while you were on medication and in touch with doctors .
"I am satisfied that you are at risk of committing further offences of violence if you are released."
The court had heard how Torrie, who was diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic in 1983, had suffered a severe relapse leading up to the tragedy.
He had received regular medication to stabilise the condition and reduce the severity and frequency of his psychotic episodes.
But it is thought that an air rifle incident at his work three days prior to the murder had deeply affected his fragile state of mind.
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The court heard how Torrie had been shot in the shoulder with an airgun by Nicholas McIver whilst working at Power Health Products on Pocklington Industrial Estate.
Mr McIver, who is the son of the company owner, was disciplined for the incident, but no further action was taken.
Victoria McIver, director of the company explained: "A meeting was held to discuss the situation and Nicholas was interviewed by the police, but the case was dropped."
Police had sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service over the shooting incident, but they decided to take no further action.
However, Chris Dunn, prosecuting explained: "Although it appeared a very minor injury was caused, Nicholas McIver is alleged to have told the defendant that his intention was to blind him.
"The defendant was very disturbed by this, and although he did refer the incident to his employers, he was concerned that nothing would happen as Nicholas McIver was related to the owner of the business.
"It was this incident that sparked an episode of instability and worrying behaviour that led to the killing of his own mother three days later."
Torrie's family had gathered at the bungalow on the Oval on the evening of Saturday 13 September, concerned about his deteriorating mental state.
An emergency doctor was contacted who recommended that Torrie take double his usual medication.
Torrie's sister, Janet Bagley and her husband Peter stayed until around 1am, the last time Ivy Torrie was seen alive.
Police were called to his mother's home on the morning of Sunday 14 September after witnesses passed on his registration number.
It was alleged he was seen acting suspiciously at Londesborough Wold Kennels near Market Weighton, carrying a large carving knife and dressed in blood-stained clothing.
Arriving at 58 The Oval at around 8.30am, officers discovered the body of Ivy Torrie in the front room.
Just hours later, armed police found Michael Torrie in his parked Peugeot car near Howden and he appeared to be in a "dazed and confused" state.
At the time he was declared unfit for interviewing but officers did hear him say: "It's my own fault, I've killed my own mother."
Doctor Nichola Thompson, a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists said: "Michael Torrie has committed an extremely serious offence and his mental illness has played a large part in that, we believe."
In mitigation, David Tremberg, defending explained how Torrie had since shown great remorse about what had occurred.
He added: "This defendant will have to live with what what he has done every day for the rest of his life. It is an unmitigated tragedy."
Speaking after the case those who knew Michael Torrie, described him as a quiet but polite and very friendly man.
A neighbour, who preferred not to be named, said Torrie had been at her house the night before the killing, after he volunteered to fix a table.
She explained: "He did a lot of jobs around here for me, he was a wonderful person.
"There were no signs at all that he was going to do what he did.
"He even said he would come back after his tea if the table was not right.
"Michael and his mother always seemed to have a very good relationship, he thought a lot of her.
"He used to take Ivy and I out to places quite a lot, he was so kind.
"I just feel so sorry for what has happened."
Victoria McIver of Power Health Products where Torrie worked had nothing but praise for him
"He was a respected member of staff, his time-keeping was exceptional and was held in very high regard, we will certainly miss him here."
She added that members of staff had been visiting him on regular occasions, taking him magazines to read and even gifts when it was his birthday.
Superintendent Peter Morriss of Humberside Police, who led the enquiry was content with the court's verdict, but admitted it was a tragic case all round.
"He clearly loved his mother and killed her in very troubled circumstances, quite how and why we will never really know.
"It was an unusual and rare set of circumstances, he was not a violent man and nobody could have predicted this."
