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Lincoln Payne jailed for attempted murder of grandmother and her sister

17:00, 06 June 2016

A 30-year-old man has been jailed for life today for the attempted murder of his grandmother and her sister - a day after being released from prison.

Lincoln Payne, of no fixed address, attacked both women at a home in Fostall Road, Faversham, on Sunday, May 30, last year.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder and was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court.

Lincoln Payne admitted trying to murder his grandmother and her sister
Lincoln Payne admitted trying to murder his grandmother and her sister

Lincoln Payne, 30, was given two life sentences with a minimum of 13 years for stabbing grandmother Maureen Burchett, 78, three times in the neck and head with a large carving knife.

He then stabbed her sister Lily McBride, 75, in the neck and stomach before knocking her unconscious with a tin of paint at the home they shared in Faversham.

Mrs McBride came to 24 hours later and discovered Mrs Payne motionless and lying in a pool of blood, later telling detectives "I really totally thought she was gone."

Covered in blood and paint she then managed to raise the alarm with neighbours and the pair were taken to hospital.

Mrs McBride had suffered several stab wounds, including a laceration described as "massive" by a paramedic and needed a five-hour operation.

Mrs Payne suffered head injuries which left her permanently confused and with poor perception of time and place.

She also suffered several broken bones, multiple cuts and bruises and her front teeth were knocked out.

In a victim impact statement, Mrs Payne's daughter Jacqueline said she was not the mother she used to know since the attack on May 30 of last year.

Emergency services outside the house after the women were discovered.
Emergency services outside the house after the women were discovered.

Jacqueline said: "She is no longer like the mother I once knew

"She has changed completely and now presents as a Jekyll and Hyde character.

"She is unable to recall her past and her memories.

"Everything she was and had been was taken from her."

Jacqueline's statement continued to say that it had had a "devastating impact on her life."

Outside court after sentencing, she added: "All I can say is that any amount of time wouldn't be long enough."

Payne was pulled over the next day driving his gran's car which he had stolen denied the attacks or seeing since grandmother.

But on the morning of his trial pleaded guilty to two counts of attempted murder.

Today at Inner London Crown Court was given two life terms and told he must serve a minimum of 13 years.

But because of his schizophrenia he was given a hospital order without time limit inside high security Broadmoor.

Prosecutor Dominic Connolly told the court the two sisters had lived in the same home since Mrs Burchett's husband was moved to a nursing home because of dementia.

Payne was jailed for 21 months for handling stolen goods and breaching a restraining order banning him from contact with his ex-girlfriend when she came home to find him in her house.

Mr Connolly added: "Mr Payne had been released from prison the day before the incident occurred on the 29th May."

Forensics officers at the attack scene
Forensics officers at the attack scene

On the day of the attacks Payne went to a betting shop before going to his grandmother's home

Mr Connolly said: "Lily McBride said she and Mrs Burchett were not expecting any visitors.

"There was a knock on the door which she answered and it was a young man who said 'Is Maureen there?' before shouting 'It's me, Nan.'"

Ms McBride recalled that Payne "didn't seem angry" and just seemed like "an ordinary fellow" as he was let in.

Payne managed to arm himself with a carving knife of "about 10-12 inches" from their kitchen and attacked his gran.

Then when Mrs McBride went to the kitchen he followed her and without warning attacked her.

Mr Connolly said: "He cut her hand and she recalls feeling pain in her neck and she was then hit on the head by something."

Today psychiatrists were divided as to whether Payne, previously of Sittingbourne, was psychotic at the time of the attack.

Forensic consultant psychiatrist Dr Samrat Sengupta who was treating Payne in Broadmoor said Payne had been diagnosed as a schizophrenic in 2004, abused drugs and had a personality disorder.

He claimed his culpabillity was "not non-existent, but low".

Police at the scene of the attack
Police at the scene of the attack

Dr Philip Joseph, a consultant forensic psychiatrist for the prosecution said Payne had not described any psychotic symptoms in an interview with him.

Payne's barrister Frank McGrath asked for a hospital order and urged against imposing a life term and said: "It would mean that the defendant had something to get better for, rather than staying in hospital with limited resources."

He also argued the stabbings were not premeditated as his client had only armed himself once at the house.

He said: 'There is the quality of impulsiveness that places this case in a less serious category."

As part of his sentencing, an order was made for him to receive hospital treatment.

DCI Tony Pledger said: "This was a very shocking case.

"The two victims sustained a horrific injuries and it is likely they will live with the consequences of them for the rest of their lives.

"It is fit and proper that Payne received a custodial sentence and the public are safer for it. However, I also welcome the fact he is receiving the treatment he needs."

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