Questions asked on fate of stabbed careworker

Oct 23 2007 by Chris Robinson, The Journal

QUESTIONS were being asked last night about why a young mental health worker stabbed to death by one of her patients was allowed to visit a man with a violent past alone.

Ashleigh Ewing was killed by Ronald Dixon in cold blood when she visited his home in Heaton, Newcastle, on May 19 last year.

Dixon denied murder but admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

Newcastle Crown Court was told that just months before Dixon, diagnosed as having paranoid schizophrenia, had made his way to Buckingham Palace telling police he was the son of Henry VIII, he was there to see his mother, the Queen, whom he said he was going to kill.

But Dixon, who was transferred back to a psychiatric hospital in Newcastle after his arrest, was later released back into the community in a move which allowed him to kill the 22-year-old, from Ralph Street, Hebburn, South Tyneside, with four kitchen knives.

Prosecuting, Paul Sloan QC said that the content of a letter Miss Ewing gave Dixon, 35, asking for money owed “played some part in triggering the frantic knife attack” on an intelligent young woman “with enormous potential.”

Sentencing Dixon to be detained for an indefinite period at Rampton Secure Hospital under the Mental Health Act, Judge David Hodson said the case was “deeply sad” and had had a “profound effect” on all those involved.

He added: “In the months leading up to your attack on Miss Ewing, there were a number of indicators which we can now see with hindsight were building up inexorably to the explosion of violence that occurred on that tragic meeting.

“You were refusing to take your Depo medication, you were drinking alcohol and you were becoming increasingly pressurised because of a number of social problems.

“As a result of what you did Ashleigh Ewing had her life cut short. She was an active, intelligent young woman with enormous potential who was just beginning to bring her stirling qualities to helping you and others. She was just embarking on a life of doing good for others and you ended that.”

Earlier, Paddy Cosgrove QC, defending, told the court it was “inevitable” that questions must now be asked as to why Miss Ewing was allowed to go alone to Dixon’s home when “so many warning lights were flashing.”

He said: “Firstly, should Mr Dixon have been in the community instead of in a secure hospital? When he refused his medication on April 11, 2006, what steps should have been taken?

“Secondly, should Miss Ewing have gone on her own to see a mentally ill man, a very mentally ill man, when so many risk factors where in play?

“The third question is why on earth was there the opportunity for this man to kill here?”

On the morning of her death the court was told that Miss Ewing had been given a letter to be handed to Dixon which said he had breached his tenancy agreement after damaging a pay-telephone belonging to the charity she worked for, Mental Health Matters.

Miss Ewing, who was on the final day of her six-month probation period, visited another patient who lived in the flat above Dixon but agreed to come back as he was still asleep. The court was told how around 15 minutes later he heard screaming and thumping coming from Dixon’s flat and after Miss Ewing failed to answer her mobile he alerted the charity, which called the police.

Mr Sloan said: “It would seem the content of the letter played some part in triggering the frantic knife attack which the defendant then launched on Ashleigh Ewing.”

“Scientific examination of the scene established the assault on Ashleigh started in the sitting room where she was seated in an armchair.

“There was a struggle during which items were knocked over and Ashleigh lost an earring.

“She then made her way to the kitchen bleeding freely from knife wounds. She remained upright for a period, still trying to fend off knife blows and resulting in defence injuries.

“She eventually fell to the floor in the kitchen where the defendant continued his attack, sitting astride Ashleigh while stabbing her in the chest and inflicting a deep wound to her neck. In all the defendant used four knives during the course of the attack, as one knife broke he would arm himself with a replacement knife.

A broken knife blade was found in one of the wounds to her chest. Ashleigh sustained 39 stab wounds to her head, chest and upper arms.”

The court was told that following the violent attack Dixon then showered and redressed himself in blood-stained clothes before removing Miss Ewing’s purse from her handbag.

At 11am, he walked into Clifford Street Police Station, Byker, with his dog, and told front counter staff “I have murdered someone.”