Jamie Burnett is in court accused of murdering his mother, Lesley Spearing, at her Rainham home in October 2019.
Jamie Burnett denies killing Lesley Spearing, who died at home in Rainham on October 10, 2019. Burnett has schizophrenia and psychosis. A judge said he wasn’t fit for trial in 2020, but a murder trial began this week. The 32-year-old denies murder and manslaughter.
The prosecutor, Daniel Stevenson, told the jury that Burnett visited his mom. He didn’t live with her, and the visit was on the evening she died. He arrived around 12:45 PM after spending the day with his cousin, Kiri Burnett, who lived there with Lesley and Stephen Burnett.
Kiri testified on February 28, saying Jamie acted “strange.” She texted her aunt around 7 PM, asking when he would leave. Kiri told Lesley she disliked Jamie’s actions, and Lesley stayed home instead of going out, skipping darts because of his behavior.
Kiri went upstairs around 8:20 PM and then heard a “scream.” She said it wasn’t an ordinary scream, describing it as a “real need.” She heard pots and pans crashing, hitting the floor nearby, and ran downstairs to see what was the matter.
Kiri saw Jamie and Stephen “wrestling” with Jamie holding a knife. Lesley told Kiri to call an ambulance, so Kiri left to find her phone and called 999 for help. Kiri felt scared for everyone’s safety, believing Stephen and Lesley had been stabbed and fearing she might be next.
While Kiri phoned for help, Stephen got Jamie outside and went to get the neighbor’s assistance. Kiri started CPR on Lesley. Stevenson said Jamie stabbed Lesley’s neck with a serrated knife, and Stephen and Kiri heard Lesley scream loudly.
Stephen ran downstairs when he heard the scream and then heard his mom yelling “get off.” Following this, he fought Jamie to stop him, during which Stevenson said Jamie “stamped” Lesley’s head.
After leaving, Jamie walked on Rainham High Street. He wrote words in blood on a car window and pavement.
Judge Philip St John-Stevens is leading the trial, which is proceeding and ongoing. Everyone is waiting for the verdict.