Man who killed his mother jailed

A man who killed his mother has been sentenced to life imprisonment to serve a minimum of 21 years after pleading guilty to manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court.

During the evening of Sunday 11 May this year, officers were called to Biddle Road in Littlethorpe, where 72-year-old Ellen Cook was found seriously injured.

Mrs Cook had suffered multiple stab wounds.  Several people were in the area at the time who came to assist the victim before emergency services arrived. 

Despite their best-efforts Mrs Cook died at the scene.

Witnesses identified Daniel Cook as the man who attacked Mrs Cook, his mother, outside the property.

When officers arrived at the family home in Biddle Road, they were confronted by 39-year-old Daniel, who was carrying a knife and wouldn’t co-operate. 

In the interests of officer safety, they discharged a Conductive Energy Device (Taser) to assist in detaining Daniel and subsequently arrested him on suspicion of murder.

He was later charged with this offence and at a previous hearing he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility.

Daniel, formerly of Atkinson Road, Ashby, was sentenced today (Friday 12 December) to a hybrid sentence with a hospital order, which means Cook will serve the first part of his sentence in a secure hospital and be transferred to prison to complete his sentence when deemed to be well enough.

Detective Superintendent Mark Sinski, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit Murder Investigation Team, said: “This was a horrific incident with very tragic and heartbreaking consequences.  A family has been left utterly devastated by the events of that evening.

“The family of Mrs Cook have shown immense bravery throughout the investigation and subsequent criminal proceedings and my thoughts continue to remain with them at this most difficult time. 

“A number of witnesses assisted at the scene at the time of the incident to try and help Mrs Cook and also provided statements to assist our enquiries that followed – I would like to thank these witnesses for your support throughout as we worked to find answers for Mrs Cook’s family. Thank you.”