‘Paranoid schizophrenic’ jailed for murder of teen

A woman with a history of mental problems has been convicted of the murder of a 13-year-old in a park in Doncaster.

Casey Kearney did not know Hannah Bonser, 26, who stabbed her in a random attack on Valentine’s Day.

Today, a jury at Sheffield Crown Court dismissed Bonser’s claim that she was guilty only of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility.

She will be sentenced this afternoon.

Bonser showed no emotion when the jury foreman returned the guilty verdict after two hours of deliberation.

She sat in the dock looking ahead, as she has done throughout the week-long trial, surrounded by four prison officers.

There were cries of “Yes” from the public gallery which was packed with Casey’s family.

Her father, Anthony Kerney, appeared to wipe away tears.

Bonser, of Cusworth House, Doncaster, had denied murder.

She has a history of mental health problems and her defence team claimed she is a paranoid schizophrenic.

Her barrister, David Fish QC, had asked the jury of seven women and three men to find his client guilty of manslaughter due to diminished responsibility or lack of intent.

But prosecutors argued that she suffers from a personality disorder, not a psychosis, and was guilty of murder.

The jury agreed.

The judge told the court that Bonser will be jailed for life and the minimum term will be fixed this afternoon.

Speaking outside court, Mr Kearney said: “We think the jury has come to the correct decision in convicting Bonser with the murder of Casey.

“There was never a doubt in our minds this was a calculated and deliberate act and therefore deserves the maximum sentence our judicial system allows.

“However, no sentence will bring Casey back to us and the severity of Bonser’s actions mean we will never have the privilege of her in our lives again.”

A spokesman for NHS Doncaster and the mental health charity Rethink said: “Casey’s death is a matter of great sadness for us all and our thoughts are with her family at this difficult time.

“We are doing all we can to support them.”

He said NHS Doncaster had commissioned an independent investigation which is expected to be finished by the end of the summer.”