A MAN who pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his elderly step-grandfather has been detained under an interim hospital order.

Matty Locks, 27, of Ashley Road, Poole, was convicted in connection with the death of Charles Taylor.

Mr Taylor, 82, suffered a serious head injury at his home in Phyldon Close, Parkstone shortly after 8.30pm on December 17 last year.

He was taken to hospital, where he died 15 days later, on New Year's Day.

Locks, who was 26 at the time of the attack, was arrested at the scene and initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

After Mr Taylor's death, the defendant was then charged with murder after Mr Taylor's death. However, in June he admitted a lesser charge of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

On Thursday morning, Winchester Crown Court was told that Locks was currently being detained at Ravenswood House medium secure mental health facility in Knowle, Hampshire.

Judge Keith Cutler ordered Locks to be subject to an interim hospital order while he is being assessed by a psychiatrist, and adjourned the case for a further hearing.

He said: "I make an interim hospital order under Section 38 of the Mental Health Act and I will have the defendant back before me on December 2."