Man freed after killing mother

A FORMER librarian who admitted killing his mother walked free from court yesterday.

Malcolm Key, 50, suffocated his 79-year-old mother Joan with a pillow at the home they shared in Oxton, Wirral, Merseyside, last August. He then tried to kill himself but failed and was arrested the following day.

He immediately confessed to the killing and told police he feared the DSS was planning to stop his benefits or send him to jail.

Key, who was suffering from severe depression, believed he would be unable to continue looking after his mother and the only solution was to kill her and himself.

Last month he pleaded guilty at Liverpool Crown Court to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Before the same court yesterday he was told he will face a Community Rehabilitation Order if psychiatric tests deem him suitable. He will be sentenced in four weeks.