22/11/2007

Bus Killer Was Just Out Of Jail

A killer who stabbed his victim to death – and had only that day been released early from another prison sentence - has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, but not guilty of murder.

The paranoid schizophrenic has admitted stabbing a hospitality worker to death in a row that started on a bus after the killer threw chips at the victim and his friends.

Killer, Anthony Joseph admitted manslaughter on grounds of diminished responsibility after his London murder trial jury was discharged for the second time.

The victim - who was unknown to the killer – 28-year-old Richard Whelan, was stabbed seven times on a bus in Holloway Road, north London, in July 2005.

Joseph, from north London, was said to be suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.

However, Mr Whelan's family said they were very disappointed with the verdict.

A statement released on behalf of Mr Whelan's family said: "Having heard the whole of the evidence for the second time we feel that the defence of diminished responsibility in this case has been used as a defence for the un-defendable, with so much evidence showing that Anthony Joseph was an angry and vindictive man.

"He has tried to excuse his actions that evening by claiming mental illness, however in our opinion he callously killed Richard for no reason at all."

Joseph had been released from prison earlier in the day despite an outstanding arrest warrant for him.

CCTV footage showed Mr Whelan struggling with Joseph shortly after he threw chips at Mr Whelan's girlfriend Kerry Barker, 38, and another woman.

Joseph will be sentenced on 20 December at the Old Bailey.

(BMcC)




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