Shrewsbury man receives indeterminate jail sentence after admitting manslaughter

At Stafford Crown Court on Monday, Shawn Heath Adams admitted the manslaughter of Shrewsbury man Wesley Morris on the grounds of diminished responsibility, in one of the first cases to be heard under new legislation.

Today the judge said he considered Adams a "dangerous offender" and handed him an indeterminate sentence for public protection.

He must serve at least six years and 312 days before even being considered for release and only then if he is found to no longer pose a risk to the public.

The body of Mr Morris was discovered by family members at his home address in Lancaster Road, Harlescott Grange in the early afternoon of Tuesday 12 October 2010.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson said the police response was rapid and resulted in the arrest of Adams on the same day.

The investigation established that Mr Morris had been killed in his flat in the early hours of the day he was found.

Although the exact circumstances of his death may never be known, DCI Williamson said it was clear Adams killed Mr Morris in a sustained and vicious attack. He was at the home of Mr Morris at the time, having been invited there to share a drink in early hours.

This was one of the first cases to come to court under the new law upon diminished responsibility and loss of control. The case had to address the new statutory tests that now exist under Section 3 of the Homicide Act 1957, as amended in October 2010.

The prosecution came to a decision that it would be proper to accept a plea of not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility. This was based on legal authorities and psychiatric reports put before the court.

Following Adams guilty plea, the judge said public protection was paramount in any sentencing.

DCI Williamson said: "The indeterminate sentence with a minimum sentence of six years and 312 days shows the court's commitment to protecting the public.

"Even once the minimum term is up, Adams will not be released unless it can be proved he is no longer a risk to the public.

"The judge said in court that Adams clearly intended to kill Wesley Morris that day, although he accepted that he was suffering from diminished responsibility at the time. However, he acknowledged that Adams was a dangerous offender and sentenced him accordingly.

"The loss of a loved one in any circumstances is heartbreaking and even more so when they are the victim of such a senseless and vicious attack.

"It is only right that those who take the life of another person go to prison and that the public are protected from them.

"We offer our deepest sympathies to all who knew Wesley Morris, who was very much loved by his family.

"A remarkable feature of this tragedy is the courage shown by Wesley's parents, brothers and sisters throughout their ordeal.

"We have all been impressed by their dignity and are also grateful for the full support they have given during what must have been an extremely difficult time for them. We hope that the conclusion of the court proceedings can bring them some measure of comfort.

"I would like thank all of the witnesses who came forward and supported the investigation. These people all played their part in ensuring that justice has been done.

"I also commend the professionalism of those officers who worked on this incident, who together with the Crown Prosecution Service built a robust prosecution case and it is some small satisfaction to see dangerous offenders brought to justice today.

"We hope that today's sentencing will give reassurance to the family and to the people of Shrewsbury that when these tragic crimes do happen, no effort will be spared to bring those responsible before the courts to see justice done."