Ex-bricklayer, 65, suffering undiagnosed psychosis stabbed his wife, 59, to death in frenzied attack after forced early retirement sent him into a spiral of depression and paranoia

A former bricklayer killed the love of his life after forced early retirement sent him into a spiral of depression and paranoia.

Despite repeated pleas for help from his family, James Gumbrell stabbed his wife of 33 years in a frenzy of undiagnosed psychosis, a court heard.

A judge gave the 65-year-old a hospital order after the Crown accepted his plea to manslaughter by diminished responsibility for the death of his wife Deborah, 59, at their home in Shoreham, West Sussex on October 24. 2022.

At a sentencing hearing in Brighton, the court heard Gumbrell spent two years caring for his dying mother after the collapse of the family business and was suffering from morbid jealousy.

Nigel Lambert KC said before his mental illness took hold, James, known as Jim, Gumbrell had been the life and soul of the party.

His family have supported him throughout, Mr Lambert said.

Brighton Crown Court also heard how Gumbrell had worked hard all his life and was forced to quit after his brother retired.

Mr Lambert said the family knew his mental health was suffering and tried time and again to get help.

Deborah even wrote the their GP asking for help with his mental health.

Mr Lambert added: 'Days before the incident police were called and they were all saying 'This man needs help'.'

He went on: 'They were married in 1989, have two children and two grandchildren. They are a very loving family.'

The death of his mother had a profound effect on Gumbrell who was described as a devoted, son, father, brother and family man.

Mr Lambert added: 'He had been outstanding man in every way until the illness took hold of him.

'If it was a frenzy, it's a mark of the condition he was suffering. He had killed the love of his life.'

Gumbrell took an overdose of pills after the killing and called police himself when he woke up.

The court heard that he will spend many years in a secure hospital before he could be eligible for managed release.

He was unwell at the time of the killing and had an undiagnosed and untreated mental illness.

Judge Jeremy Gold KC described the killing as a very difficult and sad case.

The court had rarely seen a defendant who met the definition of diminished responsibility so completely, he said.

'You stabbed your wife to death in the throws of a psychotic episode,' the judge told Gumbrell.

Despite the best efforts of police and paramedics, Deborah, known as Debs, Gumbrell was pronounced dead at home.

Gumbrell pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and not guilty to murder in March last year.

Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: 'This is a tragic case in which a much-loved mother, grandmother and sister lost her life in horrific circumstances.

'We would like to express our condolences to the family of Deborah and our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time.'