Man detained for killing his wife

Robert Davidson suffered from depression

A 48-year-old man who stabbed his wife to death in front of their daughter has been detained indefinitely in a psychiatric hospital.

Judith Davidson, 43, died in a "ferocious" attack at their home in White Ox Way, Penrith, in Cumbria, in August 2008, Preston Crown Court heard.

Robert Davidson had earlier admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The court was told that he suffered a severe depressive episode.

The court heard that on the day of the attack Mrs Davidson, who worked in Penrith's Crown Square Post Office, had asked her husband to leave after finding out he had failed to apply for state benefits.

However, the family later sat down to a meal together.

'Horror film'

Later, the couple's 23-year-old daughter, Colette, heard her mother scream and ran into the bedroom where she saw her father "raining blows down on her" with a knife in each hand.

Suzanne Goddard QC, prosecuting, said: "She described it as like something out of a horror film."

She grabbed a knife from him and ran to get help.

When questioned by police Davidson told them he loved his wife "very much, she was a good woman".

Brian Cummings QC, defending, said Davidson suffered a severe depressive episode which "produced a catastrophic misperception of events and contributed to the killing of his wife".

Mr Justice Irwin said it "was a ferocious attack" and it was "clear there was an intention to kill".

He ordered Davidson to be detained indefinitely at a secure psychiatric hospital in Newcastle.

Mrs Davidson's family said in a statement outside court: "He is nothing more than a control freak.

"He has shown no remorse for this cowardly, heinous act."