Artur B, 37, reportedly has a history of psychological problems and was caring for his grandmother (Picture: Bild)
A man hacked his 100-year-old grandmother to death with an axe in Germany after getting overwhelmed by her care needs, according to local media reports of his trial.
The victim, a dementia sufferer named only as Amalie G, was found decapitated in her home in Germany in March, prosecutors say.
Her 37-year-old grandson, named only as Artur B, appeared before a court in Hamburg on Thursday charged with her manslaughter.
According to German newspaper Bild, he is accused of picking up an axe and attacking Amalie while she sat in a wheelchair.
The centagenarian managed to pick up a cordless vacuum cleaner and tried to defend herself with it, but he allegedly managed to land 16 blows.
She is said to have been hit in the shoulders, head and neck, with the final blow severing her spinal cord.
The incident was initially linked to a supposed falling-out between the pair over money.
Artur is currently on trial in Hamburg charged with manslaughter (Picture: BILD)
Amalie was found decapitated at her home in March (Picture: BILD)
Artur, an unemployed former soldier and chemical plant worker said to be the ‘black sheep’ of the family, is said to have been repeatedly accused of theft by his grandmother.
But prosecutors now believe Artur, who was caring for his grandmother, flew off the handle after managing her needs and symptoms became too much for him.
He has received treatment for psychological problems, including medication, and spoke to a psychiatrist while in custody, Bild reports.
The psychiatrist is reportedly assessing whether the 37-year-old was criminally responsible for his actions at the time.
He was expected to give evidence on Monday. The trial continues.
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