A HARROWING 999 call was played at Swansea Crown Court today (Dec 13) as the trial of a Thai mother, who admitted to killing her seven-year-old son earlier this year, concluded with her sentencing.

Papaipit Linse, 43, of 14 Upper Market Street, Haverfordwest, pleaded guilty to manslaughter on November 22 after psychiatric reports confirmed she was suffering from severe mental illness at the time of the incident.

During the trial, the court heard the disturbing emergency call Linse made at 10:44am on January 10, 2024. In the recording, Linse repeatedly told the operator: “I have killed my son. I felt totally mental, I felt like a robot, I felt totally twisted.”

CHILLING DETAILS REVEALED

The prosecution revealed that Linse had strangled her son with a leather handbag strap. She later told police she “couldn’t check for a heartbeat” after what she had done.

When officers arrived at the three-story home, they found the boy’s body on the third floor, covered with a pillow and duvet. Despite attempts to perform CPR, it was evident he had succumbed to strangulation, with the strap leaving clear marks on his neck.

At the time of the tragedy, Linse’s husband, the child’s father, was receiving treatment at a psychiatric hospital.

MENTAL ILLNESS THE EXCLUSIVE CAUSE

Psychiatric reports presented by Dr Davis, Dr Wing, and Dr Cumming concluded that Linse was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia during the incident. All three experts agreed her mental illness was the sole reason for the killing and recommended ongoing treatment.

Dr Davis, speaking for the defence, told the court: “If it wasn’t for that severe psychotic episode, the incident would not have occurred. In my opinion, she was unable to recognise the nature of what she was doing or the legality of her actions.”

The court accepted her plea of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

“NOT A WICKED PERSON”

In sentencing Linse to a hospital order, His Honour Judge P H Thomas addressed her mental state at the time of the tragedy, saying: “Your son was not killed by you because you are a wicked person—you are not. He died because at the time you were suffering from paranoid schizophrenia.”

He continued: “I am acutely conscious that your son has barely been mentioned by me. What happened to him was tragic.”

Judge Thomas emphasized that Linse’s responsibility was grossly affected by her illness, which rendered her incapable of comprehending her actions.

Linse, who moved to the UK from Thailand in 2017, will now receive treatment under the hospital order as recommended by psychiatric experts. Judge Thomas reserved further comment, stating that he had considered the severity of the case and the unanimous psychiatric evidence in his ruling.

POLICE COMMENT AFTER THE HEARING

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Gary Williams said: “This is a terribly sad and tragic case, and our thoughts remain very much with all those who knew and loved Louis.

““We have worked closely with the CPS and independent mental health experts who concluded that Linse was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia when she killed her son.

“I would like to thank the team of police officers and staff involved throughout the past 11 months for their diligence, professionalism and care during this emotive case, and for their efforts in ensuring a full and thorough investigation was carried out.”

The judge described Louis’ death as “unspeakably tragic” and “unbearable for many people”, adding that he hoped the sentence imposed would be understood by those who knew him.