Author’s killer ‘thought victim was working with Putin to spread Covid’

Alex Sartain, previously detained under Mental Health Act, shot James Nash in the face, inquest told

A children's author and parish councillor died after a neighbour with mental health issues shot him in the face and stamped on his head, believing he worked for Vladimir Putin and was to blame for the spread of Covid-19, an inquest heard.

James Nash, 42, was repairing the garden well outside his thatched countryside cottage when his neighbour Alex Sartain confronted him and accused him of spying on him.