A man who fatally stabbed a 24 year-old Burnham-On-Sea resident in Bristol last year faces a life jail term, a court has heard.

Robert Cox, right, was stabbed to death in Egerton Road, Bishopston in August 2013, as reported here.

Robert, a father of two, had lived with his family in Highbridge Road, Burnham for many years and previously attended Brent Knoll School and Burnham’s St Joseph’s School before moving on to Highbridge’s King Alfred School and Bridgwater College.

Killer Derek Hancock has pleaded guilty to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility at a hearing at Bristol Crown Court.

He was described in court as “deluded and psychotic”. Prosecuting, Richard Smith QC described how Hancock repeatedly made “unfounded and untrue” allegations that Robert Cox and other residents had made perverted sexual actions towards him.

The court heard that on the night of Mr Cox’s death, Hancock phoned the police and told them he “would take the law into his own hands”.

The police contacted support workers, but later the hostel’s CCTV captured Hancock taking a large kitchen knife. Mr Cox died despite the efforts of paramedics who were called to the scene.

Judge Mr Justice Teare indicated that Hancock would receive a life sentence, with a minimum of four years and nine months to serve, and made it clear that he would only be released when no longer considered a danger to the public.

The hearing was adjourned without the formal sentencing with Hancock remanded in custody for two months at which time a hospital bed will be available.

Pictured: Burnham man Robert Cox, who was killed in Bristol last year

 
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