Man was 'lying in wait' on bridge before stabbing beloved mum to death with knife he bought from Asda

A man who stabbed a beloved mum to death in broad daylight with a knife he bought from Asda has been handed a hospital order.

Paul Hughes, 30, had bought the weapon just 40 minutes before he brutally attacked Michelle Hodgkinson as she walked past him in Droylsden.

He had been ‘lying in wait’ on a bridge on Edge Lane when Ms Hodgkinson, 51, walked past him on the way to meet her mum for a coffee.

READ MORE:His dad wept outside the courtroom after he admitted what he'd done

Hughes, of Droylsden, brutally attacked Ms Hodgkinson, stabbing her to death. He then flung the knife over a nearby fence and went home. He was arrested hours later.

Following a finding of fact trial at Minshull Street Crown Court, jurors found he had committed the act of unlawfully killing Ms Hodgkinson. He was previously found unfit to stand trial due to a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia.

Giving evidence at his sentencing hearing, consultant psychiatrist Dr Olivia Tappin, the treating clinician for Hughes at the Ashworth High Security Hospital, confirmed that he was currently prescribed Clozapine at ‘well above normal therapeutic levels’.

“Unfortunately there has only been a small improvement in his mental state and presentation,” she said.

Dr Tappin said that whilst he had been prescribed Clozapine over the last 18 months, which is for treatment resisting mental illness, he has been prescribed an additional medication.

Of Hughes, she said there were difficulties in speaking with him directly about his mental state. “He doesn’t believe he has been mentally unwell,” she added. “He has no recollection of what took place.”

“He has not reported any symptoms, so we have to rely on objective assessment which has been tricky.”

The psychiatrist added that there were ‘quite prominent symptoms of psychosis’ but it had been difficult to explore his mental state with him.

In a report, she urged the court to consider a hospital order with restrictions rather than a jail term due to the serious risk to the public. She said that if there was an improvement in his mental state, he would be moved to a medium secure unit, and if there was further improvement, a medical tribunal would assess his risk before he would be released into the community.

She confirmed that in the event his condition means he is fit to plead and stand trial, she would bring that to the attention of the Secretary of State which could result in a prosecution.

There were no submissions on behalf of Hughes by his barrister Gordon Cole KC.

Paying tribute to Ms Hodgkinson, Judge Tina Landale said: “Michelle was a much loved mother, daughter and grandma and so much more. She was at the heart of her family, she was loved and adored.

“She was clever, kind, generous and warm. She raised money for charity and put her family and friends first. Her loss is unbearable for them.

“It appears she was selected at random as she passed you.”

The judge also commended the police investigation which led to Hughes’ arrest 13 hours after the attack.

“I appreciate these proceedings which did not amount to a criminal trial in a traditional sense, must have been deeply inadequate and distressing for Michelle’s family. Because of your state you were never interviewed. There is no explanation, no answers and no evidence from you,” she told Hughes, who appeared over videolink from the secure unit.

“The proceedings have not served the family of Michelle - it has served the wider general public by ensuring their protection from further risk from you.”

Hughes, of Field Street, was handed a section 37 hospital order with section 41 restrictions under the terms of the Mental Health Act 1983. He will remain in a secure psychiatric hospital until he is deemed fit to be released by a specialist mental health tribunal comprising of a judge and two psychiatrists.

In a previous tribute to Michelle, her family said: “Everyone who knows Michelle are still in utter shock at the attack she endured and how horrific her last moments were.

“Our Shelly B was the most amazing, loving, selfless and funny daughter, mother, mother-in-law, sister, auntie and most recently a nanna. It was a privilege to have been known and loved by her. She loved helping people in her community and was known for volunteering as an appropriate adult, her charity work and loved creating hampers to make people smile.

“She would be there for anyone and the day she was taken from us, she was doing just that - walking to meet her mum to take her shopping and to go for a coffee.

“Our family and friends are heartbroken. In one moment our world has crumbled and will never be the same. We will support each other, and we thank and appreciate the love and support shown by our family and friends. Please hold your loved ones close, tell them you love them and make memories.

“Words cannot describe how much she will be missed. Our biggest cheerleader, our confidant, our rock – she will never be forgotten. We love you to the moon and back!

"Love you forever and always!”

Detective Chief Inspector Danny Lee of GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “Michelle’s death has left a void in her family, and nothing will fix the pain they are feeling. I hope that they can gain some form of closure and justice from the sentence passed today.

“I’d like to thank the members of the public who rushed to Michelle’s side and the first responders, both paramedics and response police officers who also attended the scene to give CPR in an attempt to give her the best possible chance of life.

“It is a moment to recognise, however, the devastation knife crime causes in our communities. Across Greater Manchester, officers and staff are working hard to fight, prevent and reduce this type of crime.”

Greater Manchester Police have said they will not be releasing a custody image of Hughes.