Student detained for killing blogger in 'devil' attack Published duration 28 May 2013

A German student who killed an arts blogger he thought was "the devil" has been detained indefinitely.

Tim Sommer, 19, admitted the manslaughter of Dr Douglas Hutchinson, 60, from West Hampstead, on the ground of diminished responsibility.

The Old Bailey heard that Sommer followed Dr Hutchinson home from the National Gallery last November and punched and stamped on him.

He was ordered to be detained at Broadmoor secure hospital indefinitely.

The court heard that Dr Hutchinson was a well-known campaigner for arts access for sight-impaired people and blogged as Professor Whitestick.

'Angel' belief

Sommer followed Dr Hutchinson home from the gallery in central London to his home in Goldhurst Terrace, West Hampstead.

He then punched him to the ground in his front garden and neighbours said they saw Sommer stamp on his head a dozen times. Dr Hutchinson died two weeks later.

The court was told that after the attack, Sommer told police "there was something about his eyes. He was the devil."

Edward Brown QC, prosecuting, said: "Mr Sommer said he was at that time an angel and that he thought Dr Hutchinson was the devil."