Triple killers' victims died of head injuries

Three elderly men killed by a man later found not guilty of their murders due to insanity suffered head injuries, an inquest has been told.

Twins Dick and Roger Carter, 84, and Anthony Payne, 80, died after being attacked by Alexander Lewis-Ranwell on 10 February 2019 in Exeter.

The then 28-year-old Lewis-Ranwell, who had twice been arrested and released on bail in the two days prior to the killings, was later found to be "acutely psychotic", jurors in the inquest at Exeter County Hall were told.

Opening hearings on Monday, Devon coroner Philip Spinney said jurors would examine the circumstances of the arrests and releases during the inquest.

Spinney said the inquest would also hear an overview of Lewis-Ranwell's past mental health, including what was known about him by which organisations and when and "what was knowable".

He outlined a summary of the case and then read pen portraits of the three men to the jury.

Identical twins Dick and Roger Carter had lived together in the family home on Cowick Lane which had been built in the 1930s by their father, the inquest heard.

In her statement, written on behalf of her and her siblings, their niece said they had many memories of spending time at the property with their grandparents and uncles.

She said the twins, along with her father, had worked in the family farm growing mushrooms and had maintained a routine at the house up until their deaths, eating lunch together "always at 1pm in the dining room".

She said they had been "gentle, kind, considerate men" who were always interested in how the family was doing.

The niece said throughout their lives they had cared for and supported each other as "simply the closest of brothers" in "lifelong companionship of people who rarely spent a day apart".

She added: "The family cannot imagine how terrible their final moments must have been."

Payne's niece said he had been a private man with a close relationship with his sister - her mother - whose health, she said, had declined since losing her brother Tony.

Jurors heard Payne had been born one of eight siblings, several of whom were placed in the care system but they had made an effort to stay in touch.

She said "Tony would never be at home" when they visited him in Exeter, where he lived almost his whole life, so they would have to "scout him out at one of his usual pubs".

She added her mother would say Payne was an animal lover who had three cats "which were very important to him".

Jurors heard Payne was an Exeter City fan who also enjoyed doing the crossword, reading the paper and staying active.

The statement ended saying Payne "had a difficult start in life and despite finding peace and contentment in the life he had built himself, his life ended abruptly", which was in complete contrast to the quiet life he lived.

Spinney told jurors Lewis-Ranwell had been arrested the day after the three men were killed and was later charged with their murders.

He added at a trial later in 2019, Lewis-Ranwell had been found not guilty of murder by reason of insanity and was given a direct hospital order.

Jurors heard Lewis-Ranwell was arrested and detained at Barnstaple police station on 8 February and again on 9 February before being released on bail for the second time at 09:38 GMT on 10 February.

Spinney said Lewis-Ranwell had caught a rail replacement bus to Exeter where at 12:36 he had gone to 65 Bonhay Road "entered the property and killed Mr Payne".

Spinney said over the next couple of hours Lewis-Ranwell had been seen by a number of witnesses in Exeter and by 15:15 he was at 109 Cowick Lane where the Carter brothers lived.

"Inside, he attacked Dick Carter in the kitchen and Roger Carter on the stairs with a spade," he said.

All three men died from head injuries.

Spinney said jurors would hear evidence about Lewis-Ranwell's social background, criminal record and mental health record.

He said Lewis-Ranwell had been designated as an "interested person" in the inquest but had chosen not to participate.

Other interested persons included Devon and Cornwall Police, Devon County Council, Devon Partnership Trust, G4S and the doctor who examined Lewis-Ranwell prior to his release on 10 February, as well as the families of Payne and the Carters.

The inquest, expected to last up to seven weeks, continues.

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