Tobyn Salvatore who killed grandparents on Boxing Day held at Carstairs State Hospital

A man who stabbed his grandparents to death after hearing a voice in his head telling him to “kill them” is to remain in hospital.

Tobyn Salvatore attacked Denis and Mary Fell at their home in Livingston, West Lothian on Boxing Day 2021.

The 21-year-old had bought two knives off the internet two months earlier claiming he intended to take his own life.

However, he instead used the blades to kill his 73-year-old grandparents after a row over a Christmas hamper he had taken up to his room.

Salvatore had been due to stand trial for murder in July this year.

But, prosecutors accepted his guilty pleas to the reduced charges of culpable homicide on the grounds of diminished responsibility at the High Court in Livingston.

Salvatore was in the dock having been brought from the State Hospital at Carstairs.

Judge Lord Young went on to impose compulsion and restriction orders for him to remain there without limit of time as he continues to receive treatment for a mental health disorder.

The previous hearing was told how Salvatore had legally changed his name from Jay Fell in 2016 in tribute to fictional brothers Damon and Stefan Salvatore from the Vampire Diaries TV series.

After the killings, he calmly changed out of his blood soaked clothes and had a bath before going to a police station and confessing: “I have murdered someone – my grandparents.”

Denis was found lying in the hall with his wife in the living room.

Salvatore later told psychiatrists he attributed a voice he heard to the “Woman in Black” character from a horror film he had viewed multiple times.

He also stated: “I believe if my grandparents died, they would be resurrected.”

Salvatore further stated a Bible quote – “all of your dead loved ones will be resurrected” – had been in his mind at the time.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Khuram Khan – who has been treating Salvatore at Carstairs – was called to give evidence at the hearing..

He told prosecutor David Dickson: “It would be in Mr Salvatore’s best interests and the interests of the general public that he be made subject to a compulsion order and restriction order.”

The doctor added Salvatore had a schizophrenic condition and that he would remain a “significant risk” without the necessary treatment.

Donald Findlay KC, defending, went on to state: “For the benefit of Mr Salvatore and those who have an interest, it is clear at the time of these tragic events he was suffering from a major mental illness.

“He will receive treatment. I can already see signs of positive improvement.

“He is aware that he faces a long journey ahead.”