Tara Cosoleto, AAP
A man who bludgeoned his own grandmother to death during an episode of cannabis-induced psychosis could be released from custody within months.
Hayden Kidd, 22, believed Shirley Kidd was his abusive former stepfather when he attacked her with garden pick at her Darley home in regional Victoria on May 28, 2022.
He was initially on trial for murder but a Supreme Court jury was discharged after two psychiatrists found he did not have the intent to kill because of his psychosis.
Kidd instead pleaded guilty to the charge of manslaughter.
Justice Michael Croucher on Thursday described the case as “horrible” as he sentenced Kidd to five years behind bars.
Kidd will be eligible for parole after two years and six months but he’s already served just over two years in pre-sentence detention.
In his sentencing remarks, Justice Croucher detailed the years of sadistic abuse Kidd suffered at hands of his former stepfather.
The 22-year-old genuinely believed his grandmother was his stepfather and his seven-year-old cousin was his younger self, the justice said.
He grabbed the boy, who was sleeping in the same bed as Mrs Kidd, and carried him to the garage with the woman following.
Kidd then grabbed a garden pick and hit his grandmother at least three times in the head, killing Mrs Kidd.
Justice Croucher noted Kidd’s moral culpability was either very low or almost non-existent because his mental state was so distorted at the time of the killing.
“I know there’s nothing this court can do or say to lessen (the Kidd family’s) grief,” the justice said.
“The sentence imposed does not reflect (Mrs Kidd’s) life.”
Justice Croucher urged the Adult Parole Board to release Kidd as soon as he was eligible, noting there was a risk he would be institutionalised in custody.
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