Killer saw PC as spy from God

A POLICEMAN with a love of classical music was battered to death with a mallet by his enraged neighbour after a row about noise.

PC James Bourke, 50, was killed by Jeffrey Gould, a paranoid schizophrenic, who lived in the flat above and became obsessed with the classical music his victim played, Birmingham Crown Court was told yesterday. On 10 September last year he savagely attacked the police officer, raining blow after blow on his head.

Anthony Barker QC, for the prosecution, told the court that the defendant had 'formed the impression that the police officer had been sent by the divine Lord to spy on him and cause him trouble'. Gould, 52, of Harborne, Birmingham, admitted manslaughter.

Mr Justice Rix passed an order that he be detained at a city clinic. No limit was placed on the order because of fears that he may reoffend.