A psychopath who bludgeoned his lover to death with a claw hammer, has been jailed for life.

Peter Walton, 57, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court yesterday after claiming he had suffered years of provocation from his partner, Ann May, 50.

In a ten-minute spe- ech, he told the court she tried to poison him and steal his money and their apartment in Tenerife.

Walton, who had spent the past 13 months in a medium-secure hospital, said: "I was the victim of a conspiracy. She tried to kill me by lacing my meals.

"My only regret is having to be separated from my two spaniels."

Judge Richard Brown said until he heard Walton speak he had been considering a joint hospital and prison sentence.

After hearing his statement, Judge Brown said: "What I have heard from you confirms in my mind the worries other people experience about the risk you pose.

"I am not prepared to put innocent lives at risk allowing you back to a hospital where, in reality, you could walk out at any time."

Ms May was killed in a camper van after she and Walton, who had been partners for 24 years, had been househunting in Sussex.

They stopped off in Heene Road, Worthing, for the night on August 9, 1999. A row started which led to Walton attacking her with the hammer and slitting her throat with a craft knife.

Susan Edwards, prosecuting, told the court that Walton's family, including his ex-wife who he had previously attacked, would be at risk if he was not jailed.

She said: "There are some individuals who are at continuing risk of severe harm or fatal attack."

Relatives of Ms May cheered from the public gallery and thanked the judge after sentencing.

Walton was transferred to hospital in London from HMP Lewes 13 months ago after believing prison officers were trying to kill him.

In October last year he admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Dr Jonathan Vince, who has been treating Walton for more than a year, said he suffered from a personality disorder which would never be cured.