Killer of Normanton man Ryan Carruthers detained
A man who stabbed his victim and then prevented police from getting to him has been detained indefinitely.
Simon Stewart was holding knives and involved in a stand-off with armed police officers on a balcony in Wakefield in April last year.
The 21-year-old admitted the manslaughter by diminished responsibility of 31-year-old Ryan Carruthers at Leeds Crown Court.
Stewart, of Castleford Road, Normanton, was given an indefinite hospital order.
Mr Carruthers' body was found in a flat in Normanton.
Stewart, who police said killed Mr Carruthers "in full public view", was detained under the Mental Health Act.
After the sentencing Det Ch Insp Simon Atkinson, of West Yorkshire Police, said: "We welcome the conviction and sentencing of Simon Stewart today for Ryan's death in April last year.
"This was a horrific, brutal crime which was played out in full public view and in which emergency services were prevented by the suspect in gaining access to the victim who had suffered what sadly proved to be fatal injuries.
"I want to praise the courage shown by Ryan's family throughout this process and I hope the conviction of Stewart will at least help them find some measure of closure following the dreadful events of last year.
"Clearly Stewart is a dangerous individual and I am pleased he now no longer poses a risk to the public."