An 81-year-old Isle of Wight woman who stabbed her husband at their Newport home, claiming “the devil made me do it” has been ordered to remain in a secure hospital facility after it was ruled she was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.
The case against 81-year-old Linda Smith was heard at Portsmouth Crown Court earlier today (Friday), where a hospital order would be made.
Smith had originally been charged with attempted murder on 15th January 2025, but prosecutors proceeded on a revised charge of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
However, Linda Smith – who suffers from a host of mental health issues including depression and alzheimers – was deemed unfit to plead following an assessment by 2 consultant psychiatrists. Back in May a Crown Court jury found that Smith did commit the act of which she was accused, as opposed to finding her guilty.
The court previously heard how emergency services were called to the family home on Manor Crescent at around 02:30 in the morning after the couple’s son dialled 999 to report that his mother had stabbed his father.
When officers arrived, they discovered the victim, Mr Terrance Smith, holding his chest after suffering a stab wound measuring around 3cm in length to the front right side of his chest. The injury was described as relatively minor and superficial in nature.
Police responded to the scene, where Smith told officers:
“I stabbed him.”
“The devil told me to do it. He is in control of me now”.
“I have to kill as many people as I can and then I’ll be safe.
“You’ve heard of satan, zombies, its all true.
At today’s hearing, Recorder of Portsmouth Judge Bowes KC described the case as “very sad” and that having been given all available evidence, which included several reports from experienced psychiatrsists, he was “satisfied that the defendent suffers from a mental disorder”. Judge Bowes went on to add that the “order is not a punishment but best for the safety of Mrs Smith and that of the public”.
Court heard how a bed has been, and will remain, available for Mrs Smith at a specialist facility on the mainland, where she will reside for the forseeable future.
The attempted murder Mrs Smith was originally charged with, will remain on file.
The judge previously praised the actions of the responding police officers, describing their conduct at the scene as “exemplary”.
