A KILLER who beat a disabled man to death was not suffering from a mental illness at the time of the attack, a jury heard yesterday.

Keith Jones was diagnosed with an anti-social personality disorder in 1990, but did not have psychosis or a depressive condition when he killed Robert Carter, 62, in January, medical experts claimed.

The 33-year-old is unable to feel guilt, is deceitful, impulsive and reckless and has showed no empathy or understanding of the harm he caused his victim, Teesside Crown Court heard.

He also blames others for the killing and in a letter sent last month to his victim's family, he told them their father would still be alive if he (Jones) had been admitted to St Luke's hospital, in Middlesbrough, 11 days before the attack.

Dr Kim Fraser, forensic psychiatrist, told the court that Jones has one of the most severe examples of anti-social personality disorder.

He said: "He appeared to be looking for people other than himself to blame for this.

"When I asked him a leading question about how he felt about it (the attack), he said, 'I feel sorry for what I have done', but then went on to explain his view he was not fully responsible for it.

"He does not feel guilty for what he has done."

Dr Fraser said the disorder had influenced Jones's actions throughout his life and was at the root of his difficulty in forming personal relationships and his history of violence.

The expert said while the disorder meant the killer had an abnormality of the mind, he did not feel it was so severe to render him incapable of his actions.

Jones denies murdering Mr Carter, 62, known as Jack, at his home in Sandmoor Road, New Markse, east Cleveland, but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Dr Fraser said though Jones could lose his temper more quickly than someone without the disorder, he felt he could control it.

Professor Donald Grubin, of the University of Newcastle, told the jury he believed Jones was dependent on alcohol and had been for many years. He said he did not feel Jones had given him an accurate or consistent account of his actions the night Mr Carter was killed.

The trial continues.