Killer Joshua Stimpson repeatedly stabbed his ex-girlfriend to death because ‘something in his head was telling him to do it’, a murder trial heard.

The 26-year-old, who inflicted more than 75 knife wounds to Molly McLaren's head, throat and chest as she sat in her car, described it as 'more a thought than a voice'.

When asked by mental health nurse Jackie Ribbens after his arrest whether he had been having difficulties with his thoughts, he replied: "I must have or I wouldn't have done this."

Miss McLaren, aged 23, was attacked by Stimpson, who previously lived in Stoke-on-Trent, at the Chatham Dockside Outlet in Kent just after 11am on June 29 last year.

They had split just 12 days earlier after seven months together.

Molly McLaren

Stimpson, of Wouldham, denies murder but has admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

However, the prosecution allege Miss McLaren's death was a ‘carefully considered execution’.

Stimpson, who suffers from bipolar disorder, was arrested at 11.10am standing by Miss McLaren's car.

The attack had been witnessed by several onlookers, including dog walker Benjamin Morton who desperately and repeatedly tried to stop Stimpson's onslaught.


When police arrived Stimpson's vest top and shorts were heavily bloodstained and he had bleeding wounds to his hands.

Maidstone Crown Court in Kent heard from the arresting officer that he appeared to be ‘totally spaced out’ as he was handcuffed, only speaking to give his name.

It was while in custody at North Kent police station that he was assessed by Ms Ribbens.

Giving evidence she told the court Stimpson was quietly spoken, rational and making sense, but made little eye contact, choosing to stare at a wall throughout.

Joshua Stimpson is accused of murder

In her subsequent report, Ms Gibbens wrote that when she asked him if he had been having thoughts of harming Molly prior to that day, he replied: "Maybe yesterday but I didn't act on them."

However, he would not reveal any more detail as to what those thoughts were.

Ms Gibbens said Stimpson also appeared to be in shock and told her he had not been sleeping well for two weeks. He had also been taking time off from his job with a window firm.

Her report continued: "When asked about having problems or difficulties with his thoughts he said 'I must have or I wouldn't have done this'.

"He said that during the attack there was something in his head telling him to do it. He stated it was more a thought than a voice.

"He denied hearing voices and didn't appear at all guarded, distracted or suspicious."

Stimpson also told Ms Ribbens that Miss McLaren had ended their relationship after seeing her GP about anxiety.

A pickaxe was found on the passenger seat of Stimpson's car

The court heard he had not wanted to split, was upset, and had left work the day before the killing because he felt low.

Stimpson said he was diagnosed four years earlier with bipolar and was prescribed mood stabilising medication.

However, he had stop taking it but was unsure whether that was ‘weeks or months’ before the alleged murder.

He also revealed he had once taken an overdose of paracetamol ‘some time ago’. But he said he had no recent thoughts of self-harm, or harm to others other than those in relation to Miss McLaren.

Ms Ribbens concluded that Stimpson had no ‘overt symptoms’ of psychosis or acute mood such as mania or severe depression during the assessment.

The trial continues.