Hospital order for father killing

Professor Lee Johnson had suffered a stroke and was housebound

The son of a renowned art historian who killed his father by beating him and setting fire to his bed is to be held in a secure hospital indefinitely.

Michael Johnson carried out a "severe and sustained assault" on Professor Lee Johnson, 81, at his home in Hampstead, north London, in July 2006.

Michael was found downstairs and told rescuers he hoped his father was dead.

The 49-year-old admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey.

The court heard Michael, who lived across the road from his father, suffered mental disorders including brain damage leading to personality disorder and epilepsy.

Changeable attitude

He also suffered paranoia, brought on by drugs he used to control his condition.

Sir Allan Green QC, prosecuting, said Johnson had carried out a "severe and sustained assault" on his father and then set fire to his bed.

He described Michael's attitude towards his father as "changeable - at times caring and helpful, at other times rude and hostile".

Prof Johnson was considered the leading authority on French artist Eugene Delacroix, discovering four unknown works by the nineteenth century painter while studying at the Courtauld Institute.

In no ordinary circumstances would he have dreamt of harming him, Nigel Lithman QC, defence

He was American-born and worked at Toronto University for 30 years. In recent years he had suffered a stroke and was housebound.

His body was found on the floor of his burning bedroom and tests showed he had died from shock due to burns and from a head injury.

Nigel Lithman QC, defending, said the case was a "tragedy" brought on by Michael Johnson's delusional mind.

"In no ordinary circumstances would he have dreamt of harming him," he said.

"The unfortunate and tragic combination of drugs and epilepsy brought him to such offences that led to his father's death."

Johnson also pleaded guilty to wounding and common assault on two nurses at Pentonville prison while on remand.