Graham Daly, 45, has admitted killing his 70-year-old mother Phyllis Daly at her home in Maghull, Merseyside. The pensioner was found dead with significant injuries at a house on Clent Road on July 13, 2025, following reports of a domestic incident. Emergency services attended, but she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Plea entered at Liverpool Crown Court
Daly appeared via video link from Ashworth Hospital before Liverpool Crown Court on Thursday, July 9, 2026. He was originally charged with murder but denied that offence. However, he pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. Prosecuting barrister Peter Glenser KC told the court: "That plea was indicated to the crown a little while ago. We have considered that carefully at a senior level within the Crown Prosecution Service. It is acceptable to the crown."
Judge Neil Flewitt KC stated that he "completely understood and agreed with that decision" after reviewing psychiatric reports prepared in advance of the hearing. Glenser added: "It couldn't really have been a clearer case of its type."
Remanded in custody pending sentencing
Daly, represented by Nick Johnson KC and Louise McCloskey, will be sentenced at a later date. The judge adjourned the case and remanded Daly into custody ahead of a hearing on August 19. Addressing Daly, Judge Flewitt said: "Mr Daly, the prosecution have accepted your plea of guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. There is no longer any need for a trial. There will be a further hearing on the 19th of August, when I will set a date for your sentence. Until then, you must remain where you are. You will appear on the link on the 19th of August in the same way that you have done today."
Background to the incident
Phyllis Daly was found dead shortly after 1pm on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Daly was arrested the same afternoon at the Stanley Arms pub in Aughton and was detained under the Mental Health Act. He has remained in a secure hospital since the incident. Merseyside Police initially treated the case as a domestic incident, with Detective Chief Inspector Alan Nuttall stating: "Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the woman's family, and they will be fully supported by specialist officers in the coming days and weeks. The community too will feel the shock and upset of this incident, and officers remain at the scene to hopefully provide reassurance and help carry out the initial stages of the investigation."
Tributes from neighbours
Neighbour Brenda Tanner, 81, described Phyllis as her "best friend" and said: "She was wonderful, she was absolutely wonderful. I'm going to miss her so much. Every day she was in here. She'd always ask what I wanted from the shop, she looked after me really well. She was very helpful and very giving, she worried more about others than she did herself. She was just wonderful."
