Brutal double killer 'may never be released from jail'

Philip Simmons, 38, savagely attacked housemate Daniel Hatfield, 52 , throttling him, stamping on him and then stabbing him, before trying to decapitate him with a spade.

Simmons, who it emerged today was suffering from a psychotic disorder and had been previously admitted to Rampton Secure Hospital, launched a similarly brutal assault on Mr Hatfield's friend Matthew Higgins, 49.

After leaving their bodies partially covered in a yard outside the house on May Street in Hull last April 21, he "contemplated killing" a woman with whom he had a brief conversation as he left.

Simmons later told a friend he killed Mr Hatfield "because he wanted to". Mr Hatfield suffered 49 injuries, including severe blunt force trauma to his head, face and body.

The killer realised Mr Higgins was coming down the stairs, lured him towards the yard and then attacked him.

Mr Higgins, who had been struck with the spade and strangled, suffered 44 separate injuries in the "wicked" attack.

Simmons must serve 36 years before being considered for release. But Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, sentencing at Hull Crown Court today, told Simmons it was "almost inevitable" that would never happen. "I cannot forsee a time it will ever be safe to release you," he said.

Judge Richardson said Simmons, who was flanked in the dock by five officers, was suffering from a form of pyschotic disorder "where you appear to be delusional and have hallucinations on occasion." That had been worsened by his taking heroin and crack cocaine.

Simmons, who had "many" previous convictions and had served "substantial" jail terms for violence and robbery, had seen a community psychiatrist two days before the murders, and said he was worried he might harm someone.

But the Judge there was no indication he would kill someone and blame should not be attached to the doctor for the subsequent events.

He said the killings "very closely" bordered sadism: "I have no doubt whatever that each man suffered greatly during the process of you murdering them.

"Each killing must have taken some time to execute and you displayed not a shred of humanity nor a moment of mercy in your vile conduct."

Simmons, who pleaded guilty to the murders and a single count of robbery 10 days ago, said "Forgiveness" as he was led from the dock.