Man killed his mother while high on ketamine

A man who killed his mother at their home while in a drug-induced psychosis has been jailed for more than seven years for manslaughter.

Experienced boxer Finn Henry attacked Suzanne Henry, 54, at their house in Madeley, Staffordshire, on 1 May 2023, and she died in hospital two days later.

Her injuries were so severe, paramedics could not tell if she was male or female.

Henry, 21, was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Monday.

The court heard he had taken ketamine and had thought his mother was a "demon or a devil" during the attack.

He had denied murder but admitted manslaughter, which was accepted by the prosecution.

Police were called to Newcastle Road, Madeley on the night of 1 May 2023 after Henry was seen acting suspiciously in the street.

He had blood on him, and seemed to be under the influence of drugs, said Staffordshire Police.

Although he was arrested that night after presenting himself to officers, he was not deemed medically fit to be interviewed until the next day.

A neighbour had found Suzanne Henry badly injured inside her home, with "significant trauma" to her face and head. She died on 3 May 2023.

Northampton Crown Court heard that Henry had been addicted to ketamine, which he first took at 16, and would regularly take other illegal substances despite pleas from his family and friends to stop.

Ketamine is widely used in the NHS as an anaesthetic, sedative and pain reliever, and is also commonly used on animals.

A synthetic class B drug, it causes hallucinogenic effects.

On the afternoon of the attack, an ambulance was called for Henry by his girlfriend, who said she met him at a supermarket and he was slipping in and out of consciousness.

He told paramedics he had taken the drug, and had not been taking his medication for anxiety and depression, but refused to go to hospital.

Later that evening, his friends said that he was acting strangely, but told them he was going to get some sleep.

Ms Henry was filming his bizarre behaviour at the time of the attack, which happened during a six-minute period.

Her son has been sentenced to seven years and four months in prison, with an extra four years on extended licence.

Judge Rupert Mayo told him: "Your sister and your father have put forward very moving tributes to her today and what makes this so sad and tragic is that I suspect you agree with every word they said. But you took her life."

The judge added that Henry had expressed genuine remorse, taken full responsibility and taken steps to address his addiction.

Det Insp Adrian Webb said: "The events on 1 May last year had an immeasurable and devastating impact on Suzanne’s family."

He added they had shown dignity, resilience and strength amid the "most unimaginable ordeal".

The case caused a great deal of shock and concern in the local community, he said, thanking local people for their help in the case.

"Even though our investigation is complete, my thoughts, and the thoughts of my team that worked with Suzanne’s family, are still very much with them."

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