Son who stabbed mother to death in Peterhead to be detained in hospital

A man who stabbed his mother to death in a “frenzied” attack in an Aberdeenshire town is to be detained in hospital indefinitely.

Jonathon Divers, 33, struck Elizabeth Watson, 58, at least 40 times at their home in Catto Drive, Peterhead, in June 2023.

He was initially charged with murder but previously admitted the reduced charge of culpable homicide, on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

At the High Court in Kilmarnock, Lord Cubie made a compulsion order for him to receive medical treatment at the state hospital at Carstairs without limit of time.

Divers – who has learning difficulties – attacked his mother when she told him to leave the property.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar told a court earlier this year: “Divers stabbed her repeatedly with a kitchen knife he was carrying in his waistband of his trousers.”

A neighbour heard cries for help and found Ms Watson lying on the floor where there was a large amount of blood.

Police traced Divers to the bathroom where he was found to be smoking a cigarette. He said that he did not know what had happened.

Mr McVicar added: “A pathologist stated there were 40 sharp-force injuries to the head, neck and back.”

Dr Gordon Skilling, consultant in forensic psychiatry at the state hospital, gave evidence on Wednesday.

Divers, whose legal team agreed with Dr Skilling and previous psychiatric reports, attended the hearing by video link from Carstairs.