Moses Fernandes had been lodging with Terry McFadyen and his partner Jenny Holmwood at their home in Bowthorpe when he launched the attack.

The 23-year-old had called an ambulance to the property saying he had breathing difficulties and stabbed Mr McFadyen, 71, to death in front of paramedics and his partner.

Terry McFadyen (Image: Newsquest)

Fernandes is thought to have been suffering from a mental health disorder at the time and he appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Thursday to be handed a hospital order detaining him under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act for the protection of the public.

He had previously admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Will Carter, prosecuting, said Mr McFadyen died at the scene as a result of "unsurvivable blood loss" following the attack, in the early hours of November 3 last year.

Norwich Crown Court (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

By the time Fernandes started lodging at the couple’s home, in Layer Close, in the summer of 2025, he had been showing signs of "paranoia" and had delusional thoughts.

"He had beliefs, plainly delusional, that those he was staying with were trying to poison him," said Mr Carter.

Police at Layer Close in Bowthorpe (Image: Newsquest)

The prosecutor said Fernandes believed Mr McFadyen was "poisoning him" although he did not know why.

Fernandes, who was medicated for ADHD, had started studying at the UEA in September 2022, but by the summer of 2025 had failed his course and was retaking some exams.

At this point he took "multiple doses of his medication" in an attempt to "focus his brain" although this "prevented him from sleeping".

"He seemed exhausted," said Mr Carter.

Fernandes was taken to the health department at the UEA and saw a doctor who referred him to the Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Mental Health Trust.

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