A man who admitted killing his wife at their St Neots home has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

Timothy Allen, 40, of Curlew Place, St Neots, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Samantha Ho on the grounds of diminished responsibility last month.

Today (Thursday) at Southwark Crown Court he was detained indefinitely under section 37 of the Act, with an additional section 41 imposed to protect the public.

The section 41 order means he will be held in a secure facility until a mental health panel or the Secretary of State deems him to no longer be a risk to the public.

Samantha, 39, was killed at the property in Curlew Place on August 29 last year.

Following a call from the ambulance service, armed officers forced entry into the house, where her body was found.

A post mortem examination concluded she died from multiple cuts to the neck.

Allen was arrested at the scene and taken to Hinchingbrooke Hospital, in Huntingdon, for treatment for serious injuries.

He was later charged and remanded into custody.

Detective Superintendent Richard Wall, from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire major crime unit, said: “This is a tragic case where a woman lost her life and families have been torn apart.

“Nothing will bring Samantha back but I hope today’s sentencing, and the conclusion of legal proceedings, will provide some comfort for Samantha’s family.

“Our deepest sympathies are with them and her friends at this difficult time.”

A statement has been released by Samantha Ho’s family.

It read: “We have put our faith in the justice system to make amends for this crime and we welcome today’s result. However, no sentence can bring Samantha back.

“Samantha was a well-loved, well respected, kind-hearted young lady.

“She had a bright future ahead of her with lots of aspirations. She wanted to be a great scientist, have time to travel the world, realise her dreams and spend more time with family.

“However, on that fateful day, August 29, 2015, Samantha was tragically taken away from us. That day was a day where a part of us died.”