A Greenwich woman has received a life sentence for killing her elderly mother during a psychotic episode in which she thought the 78-year-old was a witch.

Regina Edwards, 52, of Plumbridge Street, pleaded guilty to manslaughter with diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey today (June 30) after strangling Priscilla Edwards to death at her home in Kirkham Street, Plumstead, on February 21 this year.

During a phone call to a family member shortly after the body was found, Regina Edwards confessed: "I did it, it was me."

Following her arrest, she admitted to police officers that she had strangled her mother, who had worked as a midwife, with a silk scarf that Priscilla had been wearing.

A post-mortem examination held at Greenwich Mortuary gave cause of death as injuries to the neck.

Regina Edwards has a long history of mental illness, the court was told, having been kept in mental institutions for a decade until 2006, and having previously assaulted her daughters.

In one instance in 1995 she stabbed her eldest daughter in the stomach after chasing her and her siblings around the house.

Anthony Orchard QC told the court Regina Edwards had a fraught relationship with her mother.

Mr Orchard read an entry from Regina Edwards’ diary in court which said: “God forgive me I wish my mother was dead.”

Diaries show she had battled with her illness, diagnosed as a schizoaffective disorder, in the years since her release from mental health institutions.

In one entry, read out in court by Michael Magarian QC, mitigating, she wrote: “I pray for better mental health, I pray my children do well in their lives. 

“Help me be a better mother and cure me from the fear of other people and not be fearful of the voices.”

Mr Magarian said Regina Edwards did not pose a threat to the public but only to family members.

A report from consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Liam Dodge, who has treated Regina Edwards for the past three months, said that when she is well she is not dangerous.

Her daughters, who were present in court, had submitted victim impact statements expressing their concern that the Bracton Centre in Dartford, where she is to be treated, is too close to their homes.

Regina Edwards has previously absconded from the clinic.

Sentencing, Judge John Bevan QC said: “It is quite clear that with her chaotic behaviour in relation to medication the fact that the problem is solved does not mean it is solved permanently.”

He added: “The risk of serious harm is present.”

Judge Bevan made a hybrid Hospital Order under section 45 of the Mental Health Act and ordered Edwards to serve a minimum of 10 years.