Mother who killed seven-year-old son receives hospital order

A woman received an indefinite hospital order after strangling her seven-year-old son at their residence. Papaipit Linse pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Louis Linse at Swansea Crown Court, citing diminished responsibility. Linse, aged 43, contacted 999 to report her son’s death. The boy was discovered in bed at their Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, home on the morning of January 10 and subsequently died at Withybush General Hospital. A medical professional stated a belief that she was likely afflicted with paranoid schizophrenia. The court was informed that Louis’ father was an inpatient at a psychiatric unit in Merseyside when Louis died, and the family would “visit him regularly.” Judge Paul Thomas KC imposed a hospital order on Linse, mandating her placement in a mental health unit, with release contingent upon a decision by a mental health tribunal. Judge Thomas stated to her: “Your son Louis was not killed by you because you are a wicked person, he died because at the time you were suffering from a mental illness. “Had you not been so ill at that time it never would have happened and you would continue being a good, caring, loving mother to him.” He further commented: “What happened to [Louis] was an unspeakable tragedy and I’m quite aware that his loss is quite unbearable for many people. I truly hope, however, that the reasoning behind the order will be understood by them.” The judge also noted that all three psychiatrists who examined the case recommended against a custodial sentence. Caroline Rees KC, representing the prosecution, stated that Linse relocated to the UK from Thailand in 2017, having met her husband in 2014, and the family subsequently settled in Haverfordwest. A recording of Linse’s phone call to police from her residence on Upper Market Street was presented in court. In the call, she was heard repeatedly stating, “I have killed my son,” and admitted to strangling him. When questioned about her motive, she responded that she “felt totally mental. I couldn’t control myself and my mind.” She also claimed she “felt like a robot” and “couldn’t remember anything.” Ms Rees reported that police officers arrived at the address, where an officer discovered Louis in bed, covered by “a duvet over him and a pillow over his face.” Linse was present in the dock, dressed in a grey tracksuit, as the evidence was presented. John Hipkin KC, representing the defense, stated that a babysitter employed by Linse in the month preceding Louis’ death characterized Linse’s relationship with her son as “loving” at the outset of her employment. However, in the week prior, the babysitter “noticed a change” and observed that “she had become paranoid.” The babysitter further noted that Linse discussed conspiracy theories and held a belief that her home was haunted by ghosts. The court was informed that the babysitter contacted social services on January 9, and the agency confirmed awareness of the family, stating they “would keep an eye on them.” Linse is currently undergoing treatment at the Caswell Clinic, a mental health facility located in Bridgend. Dr. Owen Davies, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the clinic, expressed his belief that Linse suffers “from a psychotic illness and meets criteria for paranoid schizophrenia.” Judge Thomas stated that her release, “if ever appropriate, will be determined by the psychiatrist responsible for your treatment.” Linse had previously entered a guilty plea to manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, while denying murder, a plea accepted by the prosecution.