A MANSLAUGHTER plea has been accepted from the man who killed Quantock Hills villager Beryl Purdy, aged 86, in her home last year.
David Parish, aged 36, who has been held in a secure mental health unit since his arrest, made the plea on diminished responsibility grounds when he appeared by video link before Bristol Crown Court on Monday (January 29).
He will be sentenced in the same court on March 1.
Parish, of Halyard Drive, Bridgwater, killed Mrs Purdy during a burglary of her home in Broomfield in March, 2023.
Prosecuting barrister Anna Vigars KC said: “We have received psychiatric reports commissioned by the defence and the Crown.
“They both come to the same conclusion.
“I can confirm that were a plea of not guilty to murder, but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility, to be entered that would be acceptable to the Crown.”
Parish, who spoke only to confirm his name and his manslaughter plea, was remanded in custody by Judge William Hart.
Judge Hart told Parish: “You understand what is going to happen and you will be sentenced on March 1.”
Mrs Purdy’s family said in a statement: “As a family, we are devastated to have lost a dearly loved wife, mother, and granny.
“Bez was a caring person who would help anyone in need and was very much part of the village, being a church warden for 20 years.
“We will miss her very much and we are all struggling to understand why this happened to such a lovely person.”
Parish, who was arrested in woods near Broomfield hours after the killing following a police hunt, will be sentenced by High Court Judge Mr Justice Saini when he appears for the March 1 hearing.