‘Tragic and senseless’: Man admits killing his mum in knife attack

ADMITTED MANSLAUGHTER: Rick Parker. Pictures by Humberside Police

By Simon Bristow, Co-Editor

A man who stabbed and killed his mum in their family home has pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Rick Parker, 42, of Aspen Close, Market Weighton, appeared at Hull Crown Court last week and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of his mum, Helen Harrison, following the incident in March 2023. He also admitted actual bodily harm in connection with an assault on his stepfather in February 2023.

At 4.47pm on Sunday, March 5, 2023, Parker made a 999 call to the ambulance service and said “there is a woman who has been badly injured” before ending the call.

Emergency services were deployed and after entering the property police and paramedics found Helen in the hallway with a stab wound to her chest. Despite the efforts of medical staff she was pronounced dead at the scene. Parker was located in the back garden and was arrested on suspicion of murder.

A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death as a stab wound to the chest combined with mechanical asphyxia.

Prior to this incident, on Sunday, February 19, 2023, Parker had also subjected his stepfather to an unprovoked attack at the family home, headbutting and punching him, causing injuries to his face and head.

He was charged over this offence, which ran concurrently with the murder charge and formed one investigation.

VICTIM: Helen Harrison

Following the incident, Parker was assessed by psychiatrists who concluded that he was mentally unwell and unfit to enter a plea in connection with the charges of murder and actual bodily harm as a part of a criminal trial.

In February 2024, nearly a year after the incident, a fact-finding trial commenced for a jury to establish whether Parker committed the act which had caused the death of his mum and the injuries to his stepfather. The jury found Parker had caused the death of his mother on March 5 and injuries to his stepfather on February 19.

Following the trial, the judge imposed a restricted hospital order on Parker. He has remained in a secure hospital and can only be discharged after an assessment by a panel of legal and medical professionals.

Parker has continued to be assessed throughout his hospital order. In July 2025, based on medical evidence, it was determined by the court that Parker was fit to stand trial as part of criminal proceedings.

Parker was originally charged with murder but following medical assessments it was deemed he had diminished responsibility at the time of the killing, and the offence of manslaughter was accepted.

Parker pleaded guilty to manslaughter and actual bodily harm when he appeared via video link at the court on March 3. He was remanded into a secure hospital until his sentencing hearing, which is due to take place at the same court on Thursday, April 9.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Nicola Burnett of Humberside Police, said: “This was a tragic and senseless killing that has left a family utterly heartbroken by the loss of their loved one in truly horrific circumstances.

“They have been through a harrowing tribulation, and my thoughts remain with them at this incredibly difficult time.

“This has been a challenging and complex investigation, and I’d like to thank the investigation team for their unwavering commitment and dedication which has resulted in this outcome.”