Schizophrenic Trevor Joyce killed Justin Skrebowski in Abingdon, PoundlandSchizophrenic

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• published: 06 Jun 2016
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A schizophrenic on 'legal high' Spice who killed a total stranger in Poundland as he shopped for balloons has been jailed for life - but could be free in just nine years. Trevor Joyce shouted 'if I had my way you would all be stabbed' as he went on a terrifying rampage after the 'random, meaningless and mindless' attack on antiques expert Justin Skrebowski as the 61-year-old was in a Poundland store in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. Joyce, who had been smoking the so-called legal high 'spice', repeatedly shouted 'this is what you get' as he plunged the 20-inch blade he had selected from a display into his victim's buttock. As his victim lay dying from a single stab wound in the celebration aisle, Joyce then went on a terrifying rampage through the town. Shocking mobile phone footage captured an attack on another pensioner, Ron Wilkins, who was sat on a bench nearby. He was left shaken with a cut on his thumb after Joyce threatened to run the knife across the elderly man's throat. The amateur cameraman followed as Joyce marched through the streets brandishing a knife and large meat fork. In the footage, Joyce can be heard shouting 'that's what you get for keeping me awake for 20 years' at frightened bystanders. He was finally stopped when a police officer tasered him before colleagues helped bring him under control. Victim impact statements from Mr Skrebowski's two older brothers, Chris and Adrian, were read to the court, as was one from his friend Peter Street. Mrs Alkan bravely chose to read her statement to the court in person - but broke down in tears before being able to complete it and had to hand over to prosecutor Alan Blake. Addressing the court, she said: 'My life changed the day I met Justin. I was deeply captivated by his charismatic personality. I was willing to sacrifice anything to be with him. 'He was killed at random by a man who grabbed a knife from the shelves. It was hard to believe it was that easy to pick up a knife and kill someone. 'I no longer have my husband, who gave me his support. I no longer have my friend who I could always confide in. My children no longer have their father to love them. 'We miss him so much and it's very difficult to let go and imagine he's no longer with us.' After the hearing, the family released an official statement echoing Mrs Alkan's calls for a further investigation. The statement said: 'Given what was known by the authorities of the state of Joyce's mind at the time, it is incomprehensible to us that he was left at large in the community. 'Justin died on his wife's birthday as a direct result of the minimally supervised release of a very sick man. The catalogue of blunders, missed opportunities and failed procedures defies belief. 'How many more have to die before the Mental Health Trusts accept their responsibilities to protect the general public?' Describing Mr Skrebowski, they said: 'He was deeply loved and is deeply missed every day. He was an accomplished linguist with friends and business colleagues in many countries who now share our sense of loss. 'He leaves a young family behind, a grieving wife who must come to terms with her loss in what is to her a foreign country and four-year-old twins who will now never know their father and are still waiting for him to come home. 'His wider family will deeply miss his company particularly at family occasions where he could be relied upon to bring life and laughter to even the most sombre gathering.' Mr Skrebowski's brother Adrian said: 'On the evening of 7 December a part of our life was ripped away as I learned my brother was dead as the result of a mindless attack of violence earlier that day.' Julian Hendy, of Hundred families charity, added: 'These cases are happening far too often. We are calling for these regular failings to be addressed urgently, in mental health trusts around the country in order to prevent further innocent people from losing their lives.' Joyce, dressed in a checked shirt, showed no visible emotion throughout the hearing and scratched his forehead and rubbed a finger under his nose as Mrs Alkan made her emotional tribute to the court. The 37-year-old, of Franklyn Close, Abingdon, denied murder but admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility as well as two counts of making threats to kill, one count of causing actual bodily harm and one count of making threats with offensive weapons. Jailing him, Judge Smith said: 'It is clear that you have a long history of mental illness.