Son admits stabbing mum to death in 'frenzied' knife attack at their home

A killer has admitted stabbing his mum to death in a knife attack.

Jonathon Divers, 32, struck Elizabeth Watson, 58, at least 40 times at their home in Peterhead on June 27, 2023.

Divers, who has learning difficulties, caused Elizabeth concerns due to the effects of alcohol on him.

He went on to repeatedly hit Elizabeth with a knife when she told him to leave the property.

Divers was initially charged with murder but he pleaded guilty to culpable homicide.

The High Court in Glasgow was told that the plea was accepted under “diminished responsibility.”

The mum-of-two returned home from working in a fish factory that day to find Divers and her partner drinking alcohol.

Prosecutor Bill McVicar said: “She was concerned about the effect the alcohol would have on her son.

“She phoned her other son to say that her partner and Divers had been verbally abusive towards her and that the pair had barricaded themselves in a bedroom.

“Miss Watson wanted them to leave.”

Divers left the room while her partner stayed behind.

Mr McVicar said: “Divers stabbed her repeatedly with a kitchen knife he was carrying in his waistband of his trousers.”

A neighbour heard Elizabeth’s cry for help and found her lying on the floor with a “large amount of blood” present.

Divers was noted to be in a state of rage, with blood on his face.

The partner heard screaming and stated that Divers did not reply when he was asked what he did.

Police traced Divers to the bathroom, where he was found to be smoking a cigarette with an injury to his left hand.

He stated that he “did not know” what had happened to the officers and asked if they did.

A forensic examination was carried out, which found that Elizabeth was struck “multiple times” by the knife in the living room.

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

Elizabeth’s jugular vein had also been struck during the attack.

There was also evidence of defensive injuries to Elizabeth’s right hand.

Donald Findlay KC, defending, told the court: “We can be satisfied that he grasps what his position is.

“He is profoundly sorry for what he did, and it has caused him a great deal of pain and distress.”

Sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month at the High Court in Livingston by Judge Andrew Cubie, who continued to detain Divers in a state mental hospital.

The judge said: “This was a frenzied attack in which you repeatedly stabbed her.

“It is disturbing a son killing his mother, and there is nothing I can say or do that can reflect the enormity of this deed.

“The consequences of your diminished responsibility mean you are unable to manage your emotions and maintain control – alcohol had a likely impact.

“You accept the death of a much-loved partner, daughter, grandmother who contributed to our community through her friends, family, and church involvement.”

In a statement following her death the time, her family said: “Elizabeth was a much-loved mum and grandma, she will be missed dearly by many.”