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try again, Last Updated: Wednesday, 29 June, 2005, 14:52 GMT 15:52 UK E-mail this to a friend Printable version Son gets life for killing parents Brian Blackwell used his parents' credit cards for a spending spree A public schoolboy who admitted killing his parents before using their credit cards to fund a £30,000 spending spree has been jailed for life. Brian Blackwell, 19, stabbed his father Sydney, 72, and mother Jacqueline, 61, at their home in Melling, Merseyside, Liverpool Crown Court was told. Their bodies were found in September 2004, weeks after the attack. Blackwell admitted manslaughter with diminished responsibility. He suffers "narcissistic personality disorder". The court was told a post-mortem examination revealed his parents had been killed at their home some time in July 2004. Brian Blackwell's parents hoped he would become a surgeon What is narcissistic personality disorder? Blackwell was arrested at the home of his girlfriend in Childwall, Liverpool, in September 2004. An only child described as an "exemplary student", he had studied A-Levels at the £7,000-a-year Liverpool College and was weeks away from starting a degree in medicine at Nottingham University. Blackwell's personality disorder meant he fantasised about unlimited success, power and brilliance. He falsely claimed he was a professional tennis player and applied for 13 credit cards in his father's name to fund his fantasies. Decomposed bodies After battering and stabbing his parents, he went on holiday to the US with his girlfriend Amal Saba, where his excesses included spending £2,200 on a three-night stay in the Presidential Suite of the Plaza Hotel in New York. When he returned home on 12 August he stayed with his girlfriend's parents claiming he was locked out of his house until his parents returned "from holiday". One week later, he learned he had obtained A grades in his maths, chemistry, biology and Spanish A levels and was accepted into Nottingham University. His parents' neighbours were originally not suspicious about their disappearance as the couple frequently went to Spain on holiday. The bodies lay undiscovered at the couple's home for several weeks But their decomposed bodies were discovered after a neighbour called at their three-bedroomed bungalow and noticed an unusual smell. Their extensive injuries led police to believe at first that they may have been shot. The couple had high expectations for their son, telling people he was destined to become "not just a doctor - a surgeon". David Steer QC, prosecuting, said there was nothing to indicate that he had premeditated the killings. He told the court that sufferers of narcissistic personality disorder typically flew into a rage if their fantasy world was challenged or threatened. Pathological disorder He said the killings could have been linked to the trip he was planning with his girlfriend. Mr Steer said Blackwell's rage may have been prompted by his parents discovering his travel plans and thwarting them. He described Blackwell as "a highly abnormal young man". We cannot begin to imagine the distress and pain that these terrible deaths have caused Det Ch Insp Mike Keogh Killer's fantasy life "It is also a diagnosis that is very rarely used for someone as young as Brian Blackwell," said Mr Steer. Speaking outside the court, Det Chf Insp Mike Keogh, of Merseyside Police said officers could "not begin to imagine the distress and pain that these terrible deaths have caused". "This has been a very tragic case involving the death of a mother and father, leaving the remaining family shattered," he said. "Throughout this investigation we have found almost overwhelming evidence of two caring parents who doted on their son Brian and had ambitions only for him to fulfil his undoubted potential." E-mail this to a friend Printable version BBC Liverpool Sport, travel, weather, things to do, features and much more SEE ALSO: Killer Blackwell's fantasy life 29 Jun 05 | Merseyside What is narcissistic personality disorder? 29 Jun 05 | UK Son denies murdering his parents 17 Jan 05 | Merseyside Murdered couple had been stabbed 08 Sep 04 | Merseyside Son quizzed over parents' deaths 07 Sep 04 | Merseyside