University of Sheffield student who killed stepfather given indefinite hospital order

Benjamin Moglione was studying chemical engineering at the time of his attack

A University of Sheffield student has been given an indefinite hospital order after stabbing his stepfather to death in 2022.

Benjamin Moglione, 23, killed retired police officer Andrew McDiarmid as he lay in his bed battling Covid at their home in Wirral on January 24, 2022, the Shropshire Star reports.

Moglione pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the basis of diminished responsibility during his trial earlier this year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard from consultant psychiatrist Dr Stephen Owens that Moglione was in a “severe state of psychosis” when he was admitted to a secure hospital following his arrest.

The court was told CCTV taken from inside the family home showed a brief verbal exchange between the killer and his victim before the attack began.

Moglione entered the room where his stepfather was lying and asked if he was okay.

The former detective replied: “yes you are” to which Moglione said: “not really”, the court heard.

Screams and screams were heard as Moglione attacked his stepfather.

Moglione’s mother, Alison Moglione, was in the shower at the time of the attack. While she was showering, Moglione went into the bathroom and washed his hands, telling her not to call the police.

She called 999, telling them: “I think she’s killed my husband.”

Sentencing, Judge Andrew Menary said: “You attacked and brutally killed the stepfather while he was on bed rest while suffering and recovering from the effects of Covid.”

“There was no warning of this attack and nothing happened to cause it.”

Judge Menary said the sentence of a hospital order offered the best protection for the public.

He added: “There is no sentence that I can pass that can even begin to equate in any sense to the loss I have suffered.”

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