A harrowing case has unfolded at the Old Bailey, where a 23-year-old man has confessed to the brutal murder of his own grandmother. Shakira Spencer, 66, was found decapitated in her West London home in September of last year.
The court heard that before the attack, the defendant, Michael Sams, sent a series of deeply disturbing text messages to his mother. These messages included threats to harm his grandmother and contained graphic, violent imagery.
A Gruesome Discovery
Police were called to the address on Grosvenor Road in Southall after concerns were raised for Ms. Spencer's welfare. Upon forcing entry, officers made a truly horrific discovery. The victim had suffered catastrophic injuries, including decapitation.
Prosecutors described the scene as one of "extreme violence." The nature of the attack has shocked the local community and the court.
Chilling Premeditation
Details presented to the court suggest the act was premeditated. Sams had purchased tools, including an axe and knives, in the days leading up to the killing. The text messages sent to his mother served as a terrifying precursor to the violence that followed.
One message chillingly stated his intent to "chop up" his grandmother, leaving his mother in a state of panic and fear for her own mother's safety.
Mental Health and Legal Proceedings
While Sams has pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, the prosecution is pursuing a murder charge. The court must now determine the extent of his mental state at the time of the offence.
A trial of issue is scheduled for November to decide whether the manslaughter plea is acceptable or if the case will proceed to a full murder trial. The case highlights the complex and tragic intersection of severe mental health crises and violent crime.
