Son who beat mother to death thought she was a witch

Alun Kinney Evans, 34, believed his mother Margaret was a witch and was in a drug-induced psychosis after taking the ketamine replica MXP when he launched the brutal and fatal attack in June 2014.

When police arrived at the scene at Knockancor Drive, Evans was naked, had covered himself in cow manure which he also ate, and was seen drinking water from a birdbath.

Margaret Evans – a popular hairdresser who owned Madam Margo’s salon in Portstewart – sustained multiple injuries in the attack and died as a result of blunt force trauma to her head and chest.

Evans, the youngest of three siblings, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his 69-year old mother on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He will be sentenced for the offence next week.

Belfast Crown Court heard that prior to the killing, Mrs Evans and her son had a close relationship, but that at the time of the attack Evans was under the influence of drugs he bought online from a UK company which caused him to believe she was a witch.

She was found dead in the garden of her home on the afternoon on June 4, 2014 after neighbours raised the alarm.

Crown prosecutor Ciaran Murphy QC said that when officers arrived at the scene, a naked Evans said “I think I have killed my mum” and “she was a witch”. He also told police that his mother was trying to get him to drink water to flush ketamine out of his system.

Evans, who was known by the nickname Chops, also said: “I spend every penny I have on weed. That’s why I don’t have any clothes or a girlfriend.”

Mr Justice Treacy said he wanted to reflect on the case, and that he would sentence Evans next Thursday.