Sister’s killer went back to her home for a week to feed animals

Leeds Crown Court heard James Cairns, 39, was regarded by friends as a “polite and quiet” man who had never shown signs of violence.

But the court heard he was suffering from schizophrenia when he strangled his sister Patricia Cairns, 43, at her home in Osmondthorpe Lane, Osmondthorpe, in January.

Yesterday Cairns admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC, sentenced him to an indefinite hospital order under the Mental Health Act.

Simon Waley, prosecuting, said Cairns, of Buller Grove, Harehills, Leeds, dialled 999 just before midnight on February 6 and told police he had strangled his sister Patricia on Saturday January 28.

Police broke in to Patricia Cairns’ home and find her body – which was covered in coats – in the lounge.

Officers then drove to Buller Grove, where Cairns told them: “We were smoking weed and she’s dead. What can I say. Throw the book at me.”

Mr Waley said: “He (Cairns) said it was really important for him to do it, to kill somebody, or something worse would happen.”

The court heard Patricia Cairns, who also suffered from mental illness, fell asleep on a sofa. Her brother threw another sofa and a TV at her before strangling her.

Mr Waley added: “He (Cairns) said he had been back to her house in the week after the attack and fed her animals.”

Judge Collier said the cases made no sense and “demonstrates the very fragility of our human existence.”