DONOVAN MILLER SENTENCED IN LONDON FOR MANSLAUGHTER AND SEXUAL ASSAULT ON HIS GRANDMOTHER
A disturbing case has surfaced involving Donovan Miller, a 31-year-old man from Plaistow, east London, who was involved in the death of his grandmother, Phyllis Grant.Ms.
Grant, a 76-year-old woman known as a dedicated churchgoer and community matriarch, was found murdered in her home on Kent Street.
She had recently recovered from Covid before the tragic incident occurred in March of last year.
According to court reports, Miller strangled Ms.
Grant and struck her with a vase.
After the murder, he engaged in sexual acts with her body twice.
When questioned by paramedics, Miller shockingly told them, 'I raped her.' Neighbors described Ms.
Grant as a 'lovely' woman appreciated by those around her.
The Old Bailey heard that police responded to Ms.
Grant’s address after Miller called around 10 pm on March 25, confessing to the killing the night before.
During his arrest, Miller admitted to the paramedics, 'I raped her as well for what it’s worth, yesterday and today,' later confirming he had sex with her corpse.
Miller, who resides on Kent Street, also told authorities he was dependent on cocaine but claimed he did not have mental health issues.
He appeared in court via video link from the John Howard Centre secure psychiatric unit, denying the murder charge but pleading guilty to manslaughter and sexual penetration of a corpse.
The Crown Prosecution Service accepted the plea, considering the opinions of three psychiatrists, and is set to sentence Miller next month.
While a prison term is possible, there is also a consideration for a hospital order under guidelines related to diminished responsibility, which applies if a mental disorder is believed to have impacted the defendant at the time of the offence.
Prosecutor Caroline Carberry QC explained, 'Careful consideration has been given in advance of today to the acceptability of a plea and in light of the conclusions of three forensic psychiatric consultants, the Crown's position is that this is a proper approach to take in this case.' Judge Anthony Leonard QC stated, 'So on the basis of diminished responsibility as we used to call it.' The sentencing has been adjourned until March 28 to allow further psychiatric reports, with the judge noting, 'The fact you pleaded guilty today will be taken into account by the sentencing judge.'
