Millom's John Jenkin possessed by demons, inquest hears Published duration 21 May 2015

image copyright Cumbria Police image caption John Jenkin admitted from the outset he had killed his mother and sister

A man who hacked to death his mother and sister said he was "possessed by the demons", an inquest has heard.

John Jenkin used an axe to kill sister Kathryn, 20, and Alice McMeekin, 58, during a schizophrenic episode at their home in Millom, Cumbria, in June 2013.

Jenkin was jailed for life in March 2014 for the manslaughter of Ms Jenkin, of Aberdare, and Mrs McMeekin.

The Barrow inquest was told that the night before the killings, he had said "I am the devil, I need to confess".

The hearing at Barrow Town Hall was told he killed the women less than 48 hours after being released from a mental health unit.

Jenkin, then aged 24, was ordered to serve a minimum of 12 years in prison when he was jailed at Preston Crown Court

During Jenkin's interviews with police he admitted from the outset he had killed the pair because they "weren't listening" and he "lost control", the inquest heard.

image caption Alice McMeekin and Kathryn Jenkin were found dead at the family home in Millom

He said his mother had become "aggressive and controlling" after he had attempted suicide.

He told police the morning after a row with his mother and sister, he went downstairs and hit his mother with "lots of blows to her head" with the sharp end of the axe and when his sister came downstairs, he attacked her to stop her screaming.

He also made up scenarios with imaginary friends and claimed to have sexually assaulted his sister - a claim which the inquest was told there was no evidence to support.

The night before the killing, Jenkins joined a group for drinks outside a house.

Witnesses told the inquest that in the early hours he was heard in a backstreet saying in a strange language he was "possessed by the demons" and "I am the devil, I need to confess".

Cumbria Coroner David Roberts said there was "tension" over why the police's concerns about Jenkin's welfare were not passed on to health services after his attempted suicide.

Former PC Ronald Vaughan said he he did not believe Jenkin would cause anyone any harm.

The inquest continues.