Son beat mother to death 'believing she was a witch' after taking legal high

Alun Evans, 34, was naked and covered in cow manure, which he had also eaten, when police arrived at the family bungalow where Margaret lay dead in the gardenA man beat his own mother to death because he 'thought she was a witch' after taking a legal high, a court heard today.

Alun Evans, 34, was naked and had covered himself in cow manure, which he had also eaten, when police arrived at the family bungalow.
His 69-year-old mother Margaret, a popular hairdresser, had sustained multiple injuries in the attack and died as a result of blunt force trauma to her head and chest, Belfast Live reported.
Evans, the youngest of three siblings, was in a drug-induced psychosis after taking the ketamine replica MXP, which he had bought online.
He admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and will be sentenced for the offence, which happened in June 2014, next week.
Belfast Crown Court heard that prior to the killing, Evans, of Portstewart, Londonderry, had a close relationship with his mother.
But at the time of the attack he was under the influence of drugs, which caused him to beleive she was a witch.
Margaret, who owned Madam Margo's salon, was found dead in the garden of her home on the afternoon on June 4, 2014 after neighbours raised the alarm.
Crown prosecutor Ciaran Murphy QC said that when officers arrived at the scene, a naked Evans, who was also seen drinking from a birdbath, said "I think I have killed my mum" and "she was a witch".
He also told police that his mother was trying to get him to drink water to flush ketamine out of his system.
Described as being incoherent, Evans believed one of the officers at the scene was Bear Grylls and when arrested and cautioned, said "I trust you, Bear".
Evans, who was known by the nickname Chops, also said: "I spend every penny I have on weed. That's why I don't have any clothes or a girlfriend."
Mr Murphy revealed that Mrs Evans was beaten to death by her son at the rear of the family bungalow.
Pieces of broken wood were found at the scene, as was a bloody handprint on a windowsill. Also located near the woman's remains were clumps of hair.
A state pathologist who carried out a postmortem on the popular pensioner concluded she died of blunt force trauma of the chest wall and head.
Amongst her many injuries were 14 fractures to her ribs, multiple cuts and bruises to her face, bruises on her neck and a broken nose, and defence wounds to her hands and arms.
During subsequent police interviews, Evans described how he attacked his mother both with his feet and fists, and with a piece of wood.
He said he stuck his thumbs in her eyes and his finger up her nose as well as kicking her in the head around ten times.
He also said that during the attack, she was screaming his name and that he knew she was dead "when she stopped moving and spluttering".
The court heard that Evans had a long history of drug misuse. He started crying when Mr Murphy described how he was "supported and protected by mother", and how they had a "close relationship up to her death".
The day before her death, she had accompanied her youngest child when he visited his GP.
He told his doctor that he had been taking MXP, and that he believed it cured his depression.
Regarding the substance, Mr Murphy said Evans had bought it from a UK company after conducting an internet search for a ketamine substitute.
At the time of purchase, MXP was a so-called legal high which was delivered to his home on May 31 - just days before the killing.
Evans consumed the substance with friends and was convinced it was responsible for improving his mood. He even told his sister he felt like Superman.
On the day she was killed, Margaret Evans contacted her daughter to say Evans behaviour was disturbing and that he was hallucinating.
Following his arrest, Evans was deemed to be unfit for interview and was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Order.
He was initially taken to Holywell in Antrim before being transferred to the Shannon Clinic at Knockbracken. He was later transferred to the remand wing at Maghaberry.
Mr Murphy told Mr Justice Treacy that whilst in a drug-induced psychosis, Evans had launched an "unprovoked" and "brutal" attack on his mother, and that since the incident had displayed "a degree of emotional indifference". He also revealed that his family have been supportive.
Defence barrister Charles MacCreanor QC said Evans "accepts he was solely responsible for the horrific death of his mum".
Saying that mother and son enjoyed a close relationship that was devoid of any animosity, the barrister said: "The absolute tragedy that unfolded ... was completely contrary to what had been provided to him - support and protection."
Mr MacCreanor also described his client's actions on the day in question as "completely out of character", describing Evans as "childish and immature" but with "no aggression in him".
Whilst he branded the attack against Mrs Evans as "horrific", the barrister also said it was "so unexpected".
Pointing out how easy it was for Evans to purchase the substance online, Mr MacCreanor said Evans state of mind was "impaired", adding the substance he took brought on "an acute state of psychosis".
The barrister concluded by saying: "There is not a minute where he does not live with what he has done."
Mr Justice Treacy said he wanted to reflect on the case, and that he would sentence Evans next Thursday (June 16).