Published: Monday, 1st September, 2008 16:30
Murderer detained indeterminately
By Inderdeep Bains
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A 26-year-old man who killed a young father in a completely unprovoked attack has been detained indeterminately under a hospital order.
Benjamin Frankum was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Monday (1/09), after he was found responsible for the killing of 33-year-old Daniel Quelch.
Mr Quelch of Reading was stabbed as he lay asleep in bed at his parents’ house in Cherry Garden Lane, Littlewick Green, on 23 August 2007.
The attack continued into the kitchen, where it is believed that Daniel died. He had sustained multiple stab wounds.
A police investigation found that Frankum had entered the house that morning (23/8), sometime after Daniel’s mother had taken her dogs for a walk at about 5.30am.
Upon returning to the address at around 7.10am, she noticed a stranger in her kitchen. The man walked out of the house towards her and she called the police.
Frankum formerly of Littlehampton was arrested on suspicion of murder by police officers who discovered Daniel’s body and was taken to Maidenhead police station where he was questioned by police in the presence of a solicitor and approved mental health social worker.
A/Detective Superintendent Karen Trego, who led the inquiry said: “Daniel, described by his family and friends as a loving and devoted father of three, was the subject of a completely unprovoked and random attack while he stayed overnight at his parents’ with his young children.
“Our investigation has concluded that Daniel’s murder was totally motiveless and that there was absolutely no connection between the Frankum and the Quelch family.”
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