A self-confessed ‘vampire’ who drank the blood of

A self-confessed ‘vampire’ who drank the blood of his victim after
almost killing her has been sent to a mental hospital without
limit of time.

Former abattoir worker Mark Heggie, 26, heard ‘voices in his head’
telling him to kill the kindly old lady who had invited him into her
home.

When she rebuffed his amorous advances, he beat her unconscious and
then drank her blood as it flowed from her head wound, the court
heard.

Heggie, a severe schizophrenic, told detectives he loved seeing
blood, adding: ‘I know this sounds really horrible but I have to tell
you because I’m scared of what I do.

‘
He said he had also drunk blood from animals while working in a
slaughterhouse.

Judge Brian Capstick QC was told by a psychiatrist that Heggie must
be detained in a mental hospital without limit of time for the safety
of the public.

The court was told he was in a Primrose Hill bail hostel awaiting
trial for burgling a home in Denning Road, Hampstead, when he
attacked Mrs Alison Da Costa, 61, at her home in Templar Avenue,
Golders Green.

Befriending him as a fellow Glaswegian, she had invited him in.

Heggie later said voices in his head told him Mrs Da Costa was the
reincarnation of a girlfriend he was supposed to have married in
another life.

He put his arm around her shoulder but she politely declined his
advance, pointing out the vast difference in their ages.

The ‘voice’ suddenly ordered: ‘This is the one – kill, kill her.

‘
He violently punched her, then used a metal bar to hit and strangle
her into unconsciousness.

Heggie later told detectives: ‘I love seeing blood.

I remember
going back and putting my hands in the blood and I know this sounds
horrible but I have to tell you because I’m scared of what I do.

‘I did consume some of the blood from her head.

‘
He then fled from the flat.

Mrs Da Costa drifted in and out of consciousness for hours before
crawling out onto the street and raising the alarm.

In court, Heggie admitted attempted murder for the July 27, 1991,
attack and burglary.

Judge Capstick was told Heggie had convictions for dishonesty and
indecent phone calls but none for violence.

Dr Ian Wilson told the court the ‘future safety of the public’ made
a restriction order necessary.

The judge told Heggie: ‘There is no doubt at all in my mind that
there should be an order restricting you, for the protection of the
public and for your long term treatment.

‘I take into account that you expressed regret but for the
attempted murder, this order must be made.

‘
Heggie did not react as he was committed.

ENDS
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