A MAN who became depressed after a HIV diagnosis strangled his sister to death and told police that devil told him to kill her.
Khalid, 32, throttled his older sister Sarah Ashraf, 35, during a psychotic episode at his Docklands apartment. He told police that a piece of chicken on his dinner plate was possessed by the devil and told him to kill her.
The Old Bailey heard on Thursday (14) that Sarah became concerned about her brother’s mental health after he told her the chicken dish was possessed.
After he started attacking her, she tried to fend him off with a kitchen knife. But she died following a fierce struggle.
Originally from Pakistan, Khalid was arrested on suspicion of murder. He told police: "Satan asked me to murder her."
The court heard that Ashraf struggled with being Muslim and gay. He went into depression after an HIV-diagnosis in 2011 while he was working as an auditor for KPMG.
Sending him to a hospital for treatment, the Common Sergeant of London Judge Richard Marks QC said: “This is obviously an extremely tragic case.
“Having regard to psychiatric evidence the prosecution properly accepted your plea of not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
“The basis for the acceptance of that plea was that all psychiatrists involved believe you were suffering from paranoid schizophrenia."
Ashram admitted manslaughter and was sent to a psychiatric facility in east London indefinitely under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983. He will be detained in a mental health institution until deemed fit and no longer a risk to the public.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Considine of Specialist Crime said: “The Ashraf family have been devastated by this tragic event. Sarah recognised that her brother's mental health was deteriorating and went to his flat to care for him.
“We will never know what the catalyst was that led to Khalid killing his sister but he and his family will have to live with the loss of their loved one for the remainder of their lives.
“I would urge anyone that is concerned about the mental health of a friend or family member to seek help on their behalf.”
