Daughter killed disabled mother

A woman was jailed for life at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday for the murder of her "difficult" mother.

Susan Cayton, 48, admitted killing her disabled mother by stabbing her 60 times.

The partially-burnt remains of Winnie Robinson, 75, were found after firefighters were called to a fire at her St Helen's home.

The fire was deliberately staged to destroy the evidence of the murder several days before, the court heard.

Mrs Robinson was discovered with a whisky bottle by her feet and the remains of a cigarette in her lap.

You attacked your mother inside her own home, the very place she should have been at her safest in the care of her own daughter Judge Henry Globe

'Difficult and demanding'

Mrs Cayton, a mother-of-five described by her friends as a "placid and non-aggressive individual", cared for her housebound mother on a daily basis, the court heard.

Andrew Menary QC, prosecuting, said: "She had an obvious commitment to her mother before her death but it seems this elderly lady was not always grateful.

"She was often critical of others and was difficult and demanding, allowing herself to be totally reliant on Susan Cayton."

On the day of the murder on 18 September 2003, the court heard a call was made to a care line, which was installed in the pensioner's home in case of an emergency.

Cayton is heard on a recording of the call imitating her mother and telling operators on the other end of the line that she is fine and does not need help.

Large serrated knife

Later that day Cayton attended her local hospital suffering from a deep wound to her right hand, which she claimed was caused while trying to separate two frozen pork chops with a knife.

The court heard several days later on 22 September, firefighters were called to Mrs Robinson's home where the true cause of her death was discovered.

Her daughter was arrested and charged with the murder after detectives found a large serrated kitchen knife in a drain near Cayton's home, in Mount Pleasance, St Helens.

The knife was soaked in the blood of both the mother and daughter.

David Steer QC, defending, said his client did not recall the actual murder taking place but accepted she was responsible.

Possible accomplice pursued

Judge Henry Globe, recorder of Liverpool, ordered Cayton to serve a minimum of thirteen-and-a-half years in prison.

He said: "You attacked your mother inside her own home, the very place she should have been at her safest in the care of her own daughter."

Detectives who led the investigation into the pensioner's murder said they believed a second person was involved in the murder and attempt to destroy the body.