Life for 19-year-old who killed his parents

A public schoolboy who admitted killing his parents has been jailed for life at Liverpool Crown Court today.

Brian Blackwell, 19, had pleaded guilty to two charges of manslaughter with diminished responsibility.

Blackwell, who was an only child, stabbed his father Sydney, 72 and mother Jacqueline, 61, in their home in Melling, Liverpool, in July last year.

Their bodies were discovered in September 2004.

Blackwell suffered from a condition known as ‘Narcissistic Personality Disorder’, which meant that he was prone to fantasies of unlimited success, power and brilliance.

He had claimed to be a professional tennis player and had funded his fantasy life by applying for 13 credit cards in his father’s name.

Blackwell used the cards to go on a £30,000 spending spree, which included a holiday to the US with his girlfriend Amal Saba, after he killed his parents.

After they returned home, Blackwell stayed with his girlfriend’s family after claiming that he was locked out of his own home, because his parents were away on holiday. He was arrested at his girlfriend’s home, following the discovery of his parents’ bodies.

Described as an “exemplary student”, Blackwell was studied for his A-Levels at the £7,000 per year Liverpool College. Prior to his arrest, he had been accepted into Nottingham University to begin studying medicine.

David Steer, QC, prosecuting, told the court that there was nothing to suggest that the murders of Mr and Mrs Blackwell had been premeditated. (KMcA/SP)