A 38-year-old man with severe mental illness has been sentenced to six years in prison for the manslaughter of an 86-year-old woman in Somerset. David Parish, who has no fixed address, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, May 23, where he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Beryl Purdy, who was attacked and killed in her home.
Parish, originally from Bridgwater, was living in a mental health unit in Taunton at the time of the attack. On March 27, he escaped from the unit and traveled to the nearby village of Broomfield, where he altered his appearance by cutting his hair and shaving his beard. Shortly before the attack, he attempted to pull a man from a car in a local car park but did not succeed.
He then entered Beryl Purdy’s home and assaulted her with an umbrella, causing fatal injuries. Beryl, fondly known as Bez by her family and community, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police arrested Parish later that evening; he initially gave a false name and claimed he had been working on a farm that day.
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Following his arrest, Parish was initially placed in a secure facility in Devon before being charged. The court recognized his diminished responsibility due to his mental illness. Parish had no prior connection to Beryl and was previously of good character.
Beryl was a cherished member of her community and had served as a church warden for over 20 years. Her family released a statement expressing their gratitude to the police, while also lamenting their inability to protect her. They urged a review on handling severe mental health issues to better safeguard communities.
Detective Inspector Debbie Hatch acknowledged the tragedy and praised all involved in the case. She emphasized the challenging overlap between mental health issues and the criminal justice system, underscoring that the defendant’s illness did not excuse his actions. The police paid tribute to Beryl’s caring nature and the lasting impact of her loss on those who knew her, hoping the court’s verdict offers some closure.