Killer 'dangerous and disturbed'

Miss Aronen's cries were heard by her parents over a mobile phone

The man who beat a Finnish student to death in a "depraved" attack is dangerous and still a threat, his own defence lawyer told the Old Bailey.

Jason Dockrill admits killing Suvi Aronen, 23, at Wanstead Common, in east London, but denies murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

His QC, William Clegg, told the jury a manslaughter verdict would not lessen the crime, nor mean a lighter sentence.

"Whatever your verdict, he must be detained indefinitely," he said.

Outlining the defence case, Mr Clegg said psychiatrists who had examined Mr Dockrill, 34, agreed he was highly dangerous and disturbed.

You may think no animal would behave in such a depraved way William Clegg, QC

"The mental disorder he was suffering from must have played a part in those tragic events," he told the jury.

"It is recommended he be sent to a high security hospital to protect us, the public.

"I only mention this to dispel any thought that any verdict you return will have any impact on when, if ever, this man is released back into the community."

The prosecution says the attack by Mr Dockrill, an ex-diesel fitter of Stratford, east London, was fuelled by sexual, anti-female and financial motives.

The jury has heard Miss Aronen was beaten to death in March 2003 by blows to the head, her lower clothes were removed and she had internal injuries and bite marks.

Mr Clegg told the court: "It was conduct so awful you may think no animal... would behave in such a depraved way to one of its own species."

Psychologist Dr Robert Halsey said Mr Dockrill told him he felt nothing about Miss Aronen's death and said his alcohol and drug use had got out of control at the time.

"He said he was so intoxicated at the time it was extremely difficult to remember any of the events of the incident," he told the court.

The trial was adjourned until Thursday.