'Like a scene from Psycho' (From Bucks Free Press)

'Like a scene from Psycho'

9:50am Friday 28th January 2005 in News By Vince Soodin

PARANOID schizophrenic Robert Browning stabbed a man to death at an outdoor concert in an attack described as like a scene from horror film Psycho, a court heard.

Browning, 22, of Bellingdon Road, Chesham, pleaded guilty to killing his former housemate Ben Cargill, 24, in Lowndes Park, Chesham, on Sunday, August 1 last year.

Onlookers watched in horror as Browning stabbed landscape gardener Mr Cargill, 24, of Rose Drive, Chesham, nine times and then left the kitchen knife embedded "up to the hilt" in his victim's back.

Browning was sentenced under the Mental Health Act to indefinite detention at a secure mental hospital by Judge Jonathan Playford at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday.

Yesterday, Ben's father James Cargill said: "Our lives are ruined and Ben's has gone. There is no recompense for it. The sentence cannot make up for it."

Prosecutor Julian Baughan QC said Browning stopped taking his medication three days before the attack and killed Mr Cargill because he believed he was "inside his mind and trying to control him".

Mr Baughan said Browning saw Mr Cargill and a friend sitting in the park as about 100 people gathered to watch the concert. He then armed himself with the nine-inch kitchen knife, returned to the park at 4pm and ran towards Mr Cargill.

Browning pinned Mr Cargill to the ground and stabbed him in the back and neck inflicting fatal injuries.

Surgeon Dr Simon Corbett tried to save Mr Cargill after witnessing the attack. In a statement he said: "I watched with shock and disbelief as he stabbed the man. I would describe the knife blows as like that in the film Psycho."

Browning fled the park chased by concert-goers. He was heard to say "If he dies, he deserves it".

He ran straight to Chesham Police Station, in Berkhampstead Road, which was shut to the public. He had to use the police phone outside the station where he confessed to the operator.

Asked by the operator why he did it, Browning said: "He Cargill was the person in my mind, making the noises, making the voices. It was the only way I could make it stop."

Defence counsel Sally O'Neill QC said psychiatrists caring for Browning, diagnosed with a psychotic disorder in 2003, ruled he could "remain in the community" but he stopped taking his medication during last summer.

Ms O'Neill said: "This was a very sick young man and his need for care is without a doubt."

Judge Playford said the unprovoked attack was "shocking and tragic". He added: "Your victim was a young man a day short of his 25th birthday with his life in front of him."

But he added: "You were suffering from abnormality of mind which led to the attack."

Psychiatric reports said Browning was a paranoid schizophrenic and recommended a manslaughter due to diminished responsibility plea.

Acting Det Sgt Mike Wallen said the sentence reflected the "sickening" crime.

He said: "Thankfully this man is now off the streets and receiving the medical attention he needs."