Family of 'innocent' dog walker kicked to death in 'sickening' attack by paranoid schizophrenic say they have been 'let down' by authorities

By LIZ HULL, NORTHERN CORRESPONDENT Published: 17:47, 24 April 2026 | Updated: 17:47, 24 April 2026 Relatives of a ‘respected’ dog walker kicked to death by a paranoid schizophrenic today said they had been ‘let down’ by the authorities who allowed his killer to live in the community. Gary Carlisle, 62, was attacked at random by mentally ill stranger Jacob Hill, 32, near his home in Preston, Lancashire, early on March 12 last year. CCTV footage showed Hill behaving erratically before approaching Mr Carlisle with his arms outstretched just after 6am. A ‘plainly frightened’ Mr Carlisle, who was walking his dog, named Molly, backed off and ran away. But he was chased by Hill who jumped on his back and dragged him to the floor, Preston Crown Court heard. As Mr Carlisle tried to get up, Hill started kicking him, before launching ‘a sickening display of brutal violence’ and stamping on his head at least 10 times. Several shocked commuters witnessed the incident, including a female bus passenger who confronted Hill and shouted: ‘What are you doing? Stop.’ In response, Hill headbutted the woman in the face, before police and paramedics arrived on the scene. Gary Carlisle, 62, (pictured) had been taking his dog, Molly, for an early morning walk when he was set upon by paranoid schizophrenic Jacob Hill Jacob Hill, 32, (pictured) has been mentally ill since his teens and tried to get some stronger medication shortly before he attacked Mr Carlisle She described the incident was ‘like something out of a horror film’ as Mr Carlisle was left face down in a pool of his own blood. Officers twice discharged a taser to incapacitate Hill, who was arrested shortly afterwards. He later told detectives: ‘I was out of my mind. He was the wrong guy in the wrong place.’ Mr Carlisle died a week later in hospital from ‘catastrophic’ brain injuries. In a victim impact statement, read to the court, Mr Carlisle’s sister, Jackie Watters, said their family had been 'let down' by authorities who allowed Hill to live in the community with 'normal people' like her brother. ‘He has been snatched away from me,’ she said.  ‘It feels so unfair. I can never forget those hours sat in the intensive care unit looking at him, stroking him… a man with a swollen head displaying every line, crease and bruise. ‘The staff said they were the worst ever injuries seen in the ICU.’ Mr Carlisle lost an ear in the brutal attack.  His daughter, Simone Hartley, added: ‘He (Hill) was known to mental health when he did this. ‘Our lives have been toppled upside down but he is okay and is being treated in hospital. ‘Things need to be different. I do feel we have been let down. Changes need to be made so it doesn’t happen to someone else.’ Mukul Chawla KC, defending, said there was ‘a wealth of evidence’ to show that Hill had sought to address his illness in the weeks and days before the fatal attack. Mr Chawla said: ‘He had sought stronger medication. He realised something was wrong. That was not even evident to the community health worker at the time.’ The court heard Hill had no previous convictions but had been arrested for assaults in recent years, including some when he was in mental health institutions. However, none had resulted in prosecution. Psychiatrists agreed Hill was suffering from an enduring, severe psychotic illness, which had presented in his late teens and resulted in multiple admissions to hospital. Hill was charged with murder but pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and assault occasioning actual bodily harm, which was accepted by the Crown. He is being treated in a high-security psychiatric hospital and is said to be ‘currently stable and compliant’ on a high dose of anti-psychotic medication but is ‘prone to relapse’. On Friday, he was sentenced to a hospital order with a restriction that he cannot be released into the community without the permission of the Secretary of State or a mental health tribunal. Judge Robert Altham, Honorary Recorder of Preston, told Hill: ‘I cannot imagine how Mr Carlisle’s family have been affected by what you did to him. ‘The suddenness of his death and the sheer brutality of your actions are beyond any kind of comprehension. ‘I fear your illness will not lessen the feelings of shock and anger that Mr Carlisle’s family must inevitably feel.’ Detective Superintendent John McNamara, of Lancashire Police, said: ‘Gary was simply taking his dog out for a morning walk last spring.  'He expected to go home and carry on his day. Instead, he was subjected to a vicious assault that cost him his life. ‘I want to commend the actions of the bus passenger, who bravely intervened to attempt to help Gary. She was also left injured in this unexpected attack. ‘Mine, and my team’s thoughts remain with Gary’s family and those who knew and loved him at this devastating time. He was a well-liked and well-respected man. ‘I hope they can draw some comfort from the conclusion of the judicial proceedings, and now begin to rebuild their lives.’ No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? 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