Man who murdered grandfather feigned mental illness - judge

A man who murdered a grandfather tried to manipulate his psychiatric assessment in order to evade justice, a judge has said.

Daniel Rounce walked into a house Gerald Wickes was visiting and fatally stabbed him in February 2023.

He was originally declared not fit to stand trial, but was convicted of murder after it was found he was not suffering from severe mental illness.

Rounce was jailed for at least 25 years at Leicester Crown Court on Tuesday.

The court heard the 18-year-old faced a trial of the facts last October, after being ruled unfit to enter a plea.

Judge Timothy Spencer KC said Rounce was later heard telling medical professionals he wanted to "see what he could get away with", and a secondary report found he was fit to be tried.

Following the trial, Rounce was convicted of murder and possessing a bladed article in a public place on Monday.

The court heard how Rounce, of The Green, Markfield, entered the home in Leicester - where Mr Wickes was visiting his ex-wife and son - after going missing from assisted living accommodation the day before.

He had armed himself with a knife and followed Mr Wickes's former partner through an unlocked door.

Mr Wickes and his ex asked what he wanted, before Rounce fatally stabbed the 79-year-old through the heart and left.

Sentencing Rounce, the judge said the attack was "merciless" and described the offender as "highly dangerous".

"Your explanation that out of panic you intended to rob, perhaps to get some food, has a hollow ring to it," he said.

"Ultimately this killing actually defies any explanation."

Five dock officers flanked him as he was sentenced, after previous episodes of violence involving Rounce, who kicked out at security staff and had to be restrained on the first day of his trial.

Formally commending senior dock officers, the judge said: "Daniel Rounce was one of the most difficult, manipulative and potentially disruptive prisoners that I have experienced.

"You have all displayed the highest standards of professionalism and expertise. You are an absolute credit to yourselves and the Prison Service."

During the trial, a jury heard Rounce was caught on CCTV "scoping out" the area and "psyching himself up" before he attacked Mr Wickes.

The footage showed the defendant carrying two bags and wearing a distinctive motorcycle helmet, which he removed and "stashed" nearby before the attack.

Mr Wickes's son, Garry Wickes, said his father was a "kind, caring and generous man" who would be "desperately missed".

"I am so very proud to say that Ged Wickes was my dad," he said.

"From the day I was born, he has always been there, from teaching me to swim at a very early age to teaching me to fish which has stayed with me all my life.

"He will always be remembered by people as one of life's helpers. I know so many people are struggling to come to terms with losing dad.

"We miss him so much, but he will forever be a memory in so many people's hearts."

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