A retired academic was killed in a fire started by her mentally ill grandson just hours after police refused to detain him, an inquest heard.

Police were warned by Vera Croghan’s son that Chanatorn Croghan, 22, was dangerous and in the midst of a psychotic episode on 11 December, 2020.

Richard Croghan called 999 warning police he thought his son was going to kill him.

Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard Chanatorn- who called himself Marco- had a history of problems with his mental health and was trying to keep up with his studies.

After the officers left, he said he phoned his partner who advised him to leave his house and return to a flat where she was staying.

He was asked by Norfolk Area coroner Yvonne Blake whether he had considered taking his mother out of the house, but he said he did not believe that she had been at risk.

Mr Croghan said: ‘Marco had shown no aggression towards to her, but I thought he was going to punch or stab me.

‘I was dumbfounded that when you are in fear of your life, that nobody can do anything about it.

Marco had grown up in Thailand, but had moved to the UK at the age of 16 to start sixth form at Wymondham College boarding school in Norfolk after his mother complained about him becoming ‘aggressive and unmanageable’.