Understand
Son jailed for life for murdering his bed-bound mother in a hammer attack in Yateley
Overview
Michael Bowen, 35, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 16 years after being found guilty of murdering his 65-year-old mother, Janet Bowen, at their home in Yateley, Hampshire. In the early hours of 31 December, Bowen attacked his bed-bound mother—who relied on care after suffering a stroke—with a hammer more than 10 times. He had admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to a substance-induced psychotic disorder and alcohol withdrawal, but the jury rejected this plea and convicted him of murder.
Key points
- Michael Bowen was jailed for life with a minimum term of 16 years at Winchester Crown Court.
- He attacked his 65-year-old mother, Janet Bowen, with a hammer more than 10 times at their Yateley home.
- The victim was bed-bound and reliant on care following a stroke.
- Bowen admitted manslaughter due to diminished responsibility, citing a substance-induced psychotic disorder and alcohol withdrawal, but the jury found him guilty of murder.
- He was also sentenced for possessing cannabis and causing criminal damage to a nearby property.