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William Jaggs

Student admits Harrow murder

Updated 19.11 Thu Jul 12 2007

A student has been sent to Broadmoor security hospital indefinitely for the manslaughter of a Harrow schoolmaster's daughter.

An Old Bailey judge told William Jaggs, 23, that he might never be released.

"This was a sexually-motivated homicidal attack" - Aftab Jafferjee, prosecuting

Lucy Braham, 25, was found stabbed to death in her home in Harrow-on-the-Hill, north west London, last September.

Oxford undergraduate Jaggs, of Harrow-on-the-Hill, was found in the house suffering from stab wounds after the incident.

Jaggs pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. His not guilty plea to murder was accepted by the prosecution at the Old Bailey.

Aftab Jafferjee, prosecuting, told the court that the reasons for accepting his plea would be explained later in psychiatric reports. He added: "This was a sexually-motivated homicidal attack."

Jaggs, who had been forced to stall his English studies at Oriel College after getting into difficulties, was said by police to have started stabbing himself in the chest as officers arrived.

He was treated in hospital for serious injuries but was arrested after being discharged.

Before the hearing, Jaggs was assessed by a number of psychiatrists at Broadmoor secure hospital.

Miss Braham's father Jason was art director at the £24,850-a-year school and her mother Julienne was an artist.

Jaggs's father Alan was a design teacher at the school. The families had known each other for many years.

Miss Braham was described by her family as "stunningly beautiful, but modest".

The judge, Mr Justice Bean, told Jaggs: "You should realise that it may never be safe to release you."

He said doctors had described him as dangerous and a grave and immediate risk to others. "The facts you gave to them show a chilling insight into a sick mind," the judge said.

"You followed this butchery with a serious attempt on your own life," he added.

Miss Brahams had been "entirely innocent and blameless - a young woman who had done you no harm".

The judge said: "I am satisfied there was no relationship, sexual or even romantic, between you and her. Her only crime was that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.