A KILLER who admitted the manslaughter of popular Hampshire man Elliot Handley has been detained in hospital indefinitely.

A judge handed Simon Bennett a hospital order under the Mental Health Act for the fatal attack on Mr Handley, of Eastleigh.

Winchester Crown Court H heard how Bennett was suffering a manic episode with psychotic symptoms at the time of the attack.

Mr Justice Dove made his ruling after three psychiatrists concluded that Bennett's symptoms were so severe he was unaware of what he was doing.

Prosecutor Nigel Lickley QC told Winchester Crown Court how Bennett, 44, subjected Mr Handley, 46, to a brutal assault.

Mr Handley was found dead at Mr Bennett’s flat at a car dealership in Dorchester, Dorset, on May 26 last year.

The court heard how Bennett had befriended Mr Handley and taken him back to his flat, where between the dates of May 23 and May 26, had attacked him.

Neighbours could hear what appeared to be an altercation between two men with one saying she could hear “squeals” coming from the flat on May 25.

Mr Lickley said it is believed a steel circular object and a claw hammer were used in the attack, with many of the blows reigning down on Mr Handley when he was on the floor.

He suffered multiple lacerations, fractured eye sockets and cheekbones, and various injuries to his face and had suffered significant brain injuries. Mr Handley's body was naked when he was found.

The court heard how Bennett was seen acting erratically after the attack with dried blood on his arm, and had told people that he had "fallen".

After he was detained by police he told an officer: "I must be more careful when I murder people."

In mitigation Patrick Wood QC told how Bennett was of previous good character and was suffering a severe manic episode with psychotic symptoms.

Sentencing, the judge told Bennett he had subjected Mr Handley to "terrifying acts of violence" and a loss of liberty was an appropriate punishment and accepted Bennett was mentally ill when the attack happened The judge said: "It was a premature end to his life and an appalling breach of the trust he showed to you for accepting your hospitality."

In a victim statement, Mr Handley's family described him as a gentle man who loved music, poetry and how he was looking ahead to the future.

His mother Anne Handley said in a statement how he looked after her and brought her gifts and did chores around the house.

His brother Nicholas Handley described him as a “terrific human being” who was always trusting of others.

He said: “Elliot did not see the bad in people and it was this trust that cost him his life.”