A PENSIONER strangled a woman he had enjoyed a "loving relationship" with for four years after hearing voices telling him to kill.

Edwin Shore and Sheila Lochlin lived on opposite sides of Mickleton Close in Oakenshaw.

They shared each other's homes and looked after each other, Christopher Millington QC told Worcester Crown Court.

But after returning from a holiday in Egypt, Shore became troubled by a depressive illness.

And on July 23 last year, after waking up in Mrs Lochlin's bed, he throttled the 69 year old before making determined efforts to kill himself.

Shore, aged 75, denied murder but admitted manslaughter. His plea was accepted by the prosecution.

Judge Frank Chapman made a hospital order under the mental health acts and ruled Shore should not be released until doctors decided he was fit.

Mr Millington said: "Witnesses spoke of the defendant in glowing terms. He was mild mannered and a complete gentleman."

But towards the end of June last year Shore's behaviour changed. He became anxious and neighbours became concerned about him.

He visited his doctor but two days later dialled 999 and confessed to the tragic killing.

Police found him covered in his own blood. He had wounds to both wrists and a throat injury. Doctors said he was fortunate to survive.

In bed was found the body of Mrs Lochlin. She died from asphixia due to manual strangulation.

Remanded to Blakenhurst prison, Shore tried to kill himself again by pouring a boiling kettle over his head, said Mr Millington.

For a time he was so sick he was unable to enter a plea or attend court. He was examined by three psychiatrists.

Andrew Fisher, defending, said Shore was consumed by remorse over his partner's death because he had loved her.

A relative of the victim shouted from the public gallery: "You're dead Ted."

But Judge Chapman told Shore: "You lived your life as a decent, honest, hard-working man who cared for other people.

"It's plain you have been ill and that at the time you did this you were a very sick man."