Man jailed for life for murdering bed-bound mother with hammer

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 17:31 · Archive

Michael Bowen, 35, has been jailed for life for murdering his bed-bound mother Janet Bowen, 65, in a hammer attack.

Michael Bowen, 35, has been convicted at Winchester Crown Court of murdering his mother Janet Bowen, 65, at their home in Maple Gardens, Yateley, Hampshire, in the early hours of New Year's Eve last year. He struck his mother, who had recently suffered a stroke, over the head and face with a hammer more than 10 times.

Judge Adam Feest KC described the incident as a 'ferocious and sustained attack', saying: 'It is impossible to imagine the terror that she experienced in the final moments of her life or the emotional distress she was under knowing that it was her own son committing this act of serious violence against her.' Bowen was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years.

Bowen's family described him as a 'caring, loving son' prior to being changed by his 'heavy' drug use. He had been a carer for his mother. His defence team said he had recently resolved to stop drinking and taking drugs following his grandmother's death and had shown 'real remorse for his actions'. Medical assessments found he suffered from substance-induced psychotic disorder worsened by alcohol withdrawal and heard voices telling him to kill his mother. However, jurors rejected a defence of diminished responsibility and returned a guilty verdict for murder.

How it is being reported

• Man jailed for life after 'brutal' murder of his bed-bound mother with a hammerMichael Bowen killed his mother in the early hours of New Year’s Eve last yearThe Independent · 9 Oct, 16:37
• Man jailed for life after murdering bed-bound mum in ‘senseless’ hammer attackMichael Bowen was been jailed for the 'brutal and senseless' murder of his 65-year-old mum Janet Bowen at their home in Maple Gardens, Yateley, HampshireThe Mirror · 9 Oct, 15:56

In this story: Michael Bowen · Janet Bowen · Winchester Crown Court · Yateley · Hampshire

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem