A MAN who killed his parents at their Skipton home has had his sentence adjourned to help decide if he goes to prison for a long time, is treated in a mental hospital or receives a ‘Hybrid Order’ to incorporate both options.

David Taylor, 36, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of John and Beverley Taylor due to diminished responsibility at a hearing at Bradford Crown Court last month.

Mr and Mrs Taylor, both 66, were killed at their home in Regent Crescent on December 21 last year.

Taylor, understood to be a paranoid schizophrenic, is reported to have stabbed them to death.

He appeared before the court on a video link to Rampton Secure Hospital where he is detained by the Secretary of State under the Mental Health Act.

Judge Jonathan Rose apologised to Taylor and to members of his family present in court that the case could not be concluded today. But he knew they would all want the final determination to be the right one.

Judge Rose said that Taylor was suffering from ‘significant mental illness’ at the time of the killings and continued to do so.

Options before the court were that he received a substantial prison term - that could be a life sentence – a lengthy period of detention in hospital, or a ‘Hybrid Order’ that meant Taylor stayed in hospital at first but could be transferred to jail at a later date.

The court heard that although two psychiatrists had written reports on him, there was no report from his treating physician at Rampton. There was also no probation report to give a professional opinion on the danger he posed to the public.

Judge Rose said it was a complex case and he wanted to be fully equipped with all the necessary information before he decided if the disposal of the case was by the route of treatment or penalty.

Jonathan Sandiford QC, for the Crown, said ‘it made good sense’ to seek the further reports.

Defence barrister, John Jones QC, agreed it was ‘of great import to the defendant and his family’ that matters were fully explored.

He suggested that the three doctors meet in person or remotely to discuss the best way forward before the case is concluded.

Judge Rose said the new reports would be sent to all parties by August 31.

The case would be relisted administratively on a date in late September that was convenient to everyone, including, very importantly, members of the family.