A man described as one of the most mentally unwell patients in Birmingham has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his neighbour.
A Fatal Deterioration in Mental Health
Diogo Bettencourt, 37, killed 43-year-old Anthony Sharma at their shared house on Doidge Road in Erdington in November 2023. The court heard that Bettencourt, who had a previous conviction for drug trafficking in Canada but no history of violence, suffered a rapid and severe decline in his mental state leading up to the attack.
Mr Sharma's body, bearing more than 60 external injuries from beating, stabbing and strangulation, was discovered by their landlady, Musarat Bi, on 10 November 2023. Bettencourt had concealed the body in a sleeping bag.
'Last Resort' Treatment for Extreme Illness
Following his arrest, Bettencourt's psychiatric condition worsened, resulting in his transfer to the Tamarind Centre, a medium secure psychiatric hospital in Bordesley Green. Psychiatrists diagnosed him with 'treatment-resistant schizophrenia'.
As a result, he was prescribed the powerful antipsychotic clozapine, often considered a medication of 'last resort' due to its potentially severe side effects. His barrister, Lisa Wilding KC, told Birmingham Crown Court that he was "one of the most mentally unwell patients at the facility, if not the most".
Ms Wilding stated that Bettencourt spent most of his time in his cell, was not engaging with treatment, and remained delusional. She confirmed: "Despite the guilty verdict this was a killing by someone who was extremely unwell. He is now more unwell and is going to remain unwell for the remainder of his life."
Descent into Delusion Before the Murder
The first visible signs of his mental disorder emerged in May 2023 when he jumped from a first-floor roof and broke his heel. His mother in Canada began to notice alarming changes in his behaviour.
In phone calls, Bettencourt told her she was not his real mother. He was observed looking over his shoulder constantly, claiming people were "out to get him". His appearance became increasingly unkempt, and a neighbour reported him staring repeatedly from his window.
His delusions escalated after his arrest, including beliefs that he was the son of God, that he could live off sunlight, that he was invincible, that he was basketball legend Michael Jordan, and that he could predict the future.
The murder occurred between approximately 10.30pm on 8 November and 2.30am on 9 November 2023, shortly after the pair had returned from buying alcohol at Booze & Beverages off-licence. A possible motive suggested in court was anger towards Mr Sharma for failing to help him during a separate stabbing incident days earlier.
After the killing, Bettencourt attempted to use Mr Sharma's bank card on multiple occasions. He was convicted earlier this year and sentenced to life imprisonment this week.
