Ex-lover in double killing detained at hospital

Rekawt Salih, 26, inflicted more than 100 stab wounds on his ex-partner Tracy Donnelly, 43, and her daughter Louise, 23, at their home in Sheffield.

Sheffield Crown Court heard Salih had been admitted for a brief period for assessment under the Mental Health Act a year previously.

He was diagnosed with schizophrenia and drug-induced psychosis but was released back into the community.

As his condition worsened the day before the killings, he sought help from a mental health crisis team, but there is no indication contact was made.

Salih, of Callow Mount, Gleadless, admitted the manslaughter of both women on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Yesterday he was sent to Rampton secure hospital, indefinitely.

Mr Justice Treacy told him: “It may well be hard to envisage a time when you do not pose a risk to the public. You may never be released.”

Alistair MacDonald, prosecuting, said Tracy Donnelly’s son Ashley found the women’s bodies in the living room.

Her four-year-old son Daniel – whose father is Salih – was asleep in the room where the killings happened.

Mr MacDonald said Tracy Donnelly and Salih’s relationship fell apart after he cheated on her.

Salih used to beat his partner and she moved away from him, but he managed to track her down to Gleadless.

Mr MacDonald said Salih “hated” Louise Donnelly after she reported him to the police for assaulting her and he was convicted of battery. Early on March 29, Salih drove to the Donnellys’ home in Ironside Road.

Neighbours heard “terrified” screams from two women.

It appeared Louise Donnelly had been attacked, followed by her mother. Salih was seen walking away barefoot.

A post-mortem examination showed Tracy Donnelly sustained more than 30 stab wounds. She died from severe blood loss and collapsed lungs.

Louise Donnelly had 70 injuries and the tip of a knife was embedded in her skull.

It is believed both women resisted, with Tracy Donnelly apparently trying to help her daughter.

Salih drove off but was later arrested by armed police after a chase where he collided with a group of students, leaving four injured.

Salih told officers he could not remember what happened. On the way to hospital he kept repeating he was “the son of God”.

In hospital he blamed a “magician from Pitsmoor in Sheffield”.

The court heard he was prescribed anti-depressants in 2009 and there was evidence he used cocaine and was a heavy drinker.

After his assessment in February 2010, he was supposed to have received supervision in the community, but had ceased to take his medication at the time of the killings.

It is not known whether the mental health services knew he was not taking his tablets but the judge said it was “a matter that should be looked into.”

Mr Justice Treacy said Salih’s ability to understand what was happening to him was substantially impaired.

He said: “The condition from which you suffer is one which is likely to last indefinitely. You require hospital treatment and pose a very high risk of serious harm being caused to the public.”

Maureen Donnelly, Tracy Donnelly’s mother, said: “Two generations of my family have been taken away in the most terrible way imaginable.

“Today I take satisfaction from knowing that the person responsible for their deaths will not be able to hurt anyone else.”

Kevan Taylor, chief executive of Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We have worked in an open and transparent manner with the police investigation, as well as conducting our own thorough internal investigation into the circumstances leading up to and during the incident. We have shared the results of this investigation with the appropriate authorities.”