Michael Bowen jailed for murdering mother in hammer attack

Michael Bowen, 34, of Maple Gardens, Yateley, killed 65-year-old Janet Bowen in the early hours of New Year’s Eve last year.

He was convicted of murder by a jury at Salisbury Crown Court on July 24 following a trial.

Bowen appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, October 9, where he was sentenced by His Honour Judge Adam Feest KC.

The court heard Janet Bowen was bedbound following a stroke and required round-the-clock care.

She was killed between 3.55am and 4.56am on December 31, 2025, at the home she shared with her son.

Michael Bowen has been jailed for murdering his mother, Janet Bowen, on New Year's Eve (Image: Hampshire Constabulary)

Judge Feest said Janet was subjected to a “ferocious and sustained attack” by Bowen, who used a hammer.

The court heard Bowen struck his mother at least 10 times, although the forensic pathologist was unable to determine exactly how many blows were inflicted.

During a police interview, Bowen was asked how many times he had hit her.

He replied: “Too many. The voices in my head said 34 f***ing times or something.”

The judge said injuries to Janet’s hand showed she had tried to protect herself and was aware of what was happening.

Bowen left the hammer at the foot of her bed, washed his hands and packed a bag with a different hammer and clothes.

He spoke to a neighbour and asked for directions to Yateley, but went in the opposite direction.

Bowen later went to a farm, locked himself in a storage unit and pointed a knife at a man who asked him to leave.

Carers found Janet dead when they attended the property for their morning visit.

Police were called at 9.40am on December 31.

In a statement read to the court, Janet’s daughter Samantha Bowen said she had found the legal process distressing and had been unable to attend any part of the trial.

She said: “My mum was a gentle and kind person, she had a heart of gold.

“When we were growing up she selflessly sacrificed her own dreams just so we had somewhere safe.”

Samantha said: “The fact it was my own brother… I am forced to grieve the horrific loss of my mother.

“In the space of a week I lost my nan, my mum and my brother.”

She added: “The trauma of how mum was taken from us still haunts me.

“Since her death I have struggled deeply every day.”

Samantha said the emotional toll had been so severe that she would have lost her job had it not been for an understanding boss.

She said her mother had “so much life left to live and so much to look forward to”.

“Mum absolutely loved football and was looking forward to watching the World Cup,” she said.

“Mum did not deserve to be killed.

“Our family will never be the same and we miss her every day.

“Even in our deepest grief we know she would want a way for us to be happy and we will find a way to honour her.”

The court heard Bowen was assessed in custody and seen by three psychiatrists.

Doctors considered he may have suffered a substance-induced psychotic disorder, possibly linked to alcohol withdrawal.

However, the court heard one doctor’s opinion was that he was not suffering from psychosis at the time of the killing.

The jury rejected a defence of diminished responsibility and found he was not suffering from a recognised medical condition or impairment.

Defence counsel said Bowen had been known as a “soft, kind brother and son” and showed real remorse.

He admitted murdering his mother during a police interview and again when giving evidence at trial.

The defence said there was no evidence of premeditation, and that Bowen loved his mother.

It was also heard that Bowen had decided to give up drinking after the death of his grandmother, which may have contributed to his condition.

Judge Feest KC said: “The death of Janet has been made all the more tragic by the fact it was her son.

“At the time of her death Janet Bowen was bedbound.

“Michael lived with her and had done for some time — an arrangement that came about in some part due to his addiction to drugs and alcohol.

“Janet was subjected to what must have been a ferocious and sustained attack by her son.

“Mrs Bowen would have known it was her own son.”

Aggravating factors included Janet’s vulnerability due to her age and immobility, the unprovoked and unjustified nature of the violence, Bowen’s use of a weapon, and the fact he left the house without seeking help.

The violence had been so severe that evidence had to be amended for the jury because it was too graphic.

The judge said mitigating factors included the absence of previous violence towards Janet, Bowen’s love for his mother, his remorse, his acceptance of responsibility and the absence of relevant previous convictions.

He accepted Bowen had experienced real symptoms, including hearing voices, as a result of substance abuse.

However, he said the jury had rejected diminished responsibility.

The judge said: “You and your wider family will have to live with the consequences of that night.”

Bowen was also sentenced for criminal damage after returning to the property and smashing a window.

He was given a life sentence with a minimum term of 16 years.

After deducting the 281 days he has already spent in custody, Bowen must serve 15 years and 84 days before he can apply for parole.

Bowen appeared calm and nodded after the judge read out the sentence.

Detective Superintendent Ross Toms, who led the investigation, said: “Our thoughts, first and foremost, are with the family of Janet Bowen.

“This was a tragic incident and not only have Janet’s family had to endure what happened on New Year’s Eve, but they have had to relive it in court.

“I would like to praise her family for their bravery and courage when they were dealing with unimaginable pain and grief. I sincerely hope that they can now try and move forward and rebuild their lives.”

Benjamin May, of the Crown Prosecution Service, said: "Janet Bowen was a vulnerable woman, left seriously unwell by a stroke and entirely reliant on others, including the defendant, for her care.

"Her own son violated that trust in the most brutal way, launching a sustained and fatal attack on her in the place she should have been safest.

"While Bowen accepted he had unlawfully killed his mother, we did not accept that a plea to manslaughter reflected the true gravity of what he had done, and the jury agreed.

"Our thoughts remain with Janet Bowen's family and friends as they come to terms with this tragic loss.”