A MAN has been detained under the Mental Health Act after beating his mother to death and dumping her body at an airfield in Dorset.

Andrew Lovell, 45, from Charlton, Ludwell, admitted killing his 84-year-old mother Joyce Nellie Lovell in June last year.

Her body was discovered at Compton Abbas Airfield on June 22 after Lovell walked into Salisbury Police Station and told officers she had been killed.

She was pronounced dead at the scene and a post mortem examination revealed the cause of death to be multiple fractures to the head caused by a blunt instrument.

Lovell appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday and was sentenced for manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

He was detained under the Mental Health Act and will not be released unless he is considered to no longer pose a risk to the public.

Detective chief inspector John Crossland from Dorset Police said: “This is a tragic case where a son has attacked his elderly mother leading to fatal consequences.

“On behalf of both police forces, I would like to offer the sympathies of all involved in the investigation, to the family, friends and neighbours of Mrs Lovell.

“I would also like to praise the professionalism of all those involved in this distressing investigation, in particular our colleagues from Wiltshire Constabulary.”