Man accused of Jersey murders 'hears voices'

A man who killed six people, including his wife and two young children, in a knife attack a year ago is haunted by voices in his head, a court heard yesterday.

Damian Rzeszowski, 31, is accused of murdering his wife, Izabela Rzeszowska, 30, their daughter, Kinga, five, and son, Kacper, two, in St Helier, Jersey, on 14 August last year.

The Polish national is also accused of the murders of his wife's father, Marek Garstka, 56, his wife's friend, Marta De La Haye, 34, and Ms De La Haye's daughter, Julia, five.

Giving evidence at his trial at the Royal Court in St Helier, Dr Dale Harrison, a consultant psychiatrist, said of the defendant: "For the last week he has continued to experience voices. These voices are related to stress he is under.

"His stress levels are up since leaving Broadmoor Hospital and being put in prison."

The court was shown the two kitchen knives that Rzeszowski used during the attacks. It also saw a painting that the children had been working on just before the killings.

Rzeszowski has pleaded guilty to manslaughter through diminished responsibility but denies murder.

The trial continues.