A former Network Rail administrator has been detained indefinitely after he admitted killing his mother by setting fire to their home.
Beatrice Yankson, 59, died of burns and inhalation of fumes after she was pulled from the blaze at a flat in Holloway, north London.
Her son Joel Ellis, 36, also suffered serious injuries after he was found unconscious slumped against a bed upstairs.
Prosecutor Simon Denison QC told the Old Bailey that Ellis had obtained a container of petrol a few days before the fire and decanted it into bottles.
Mr Denison said: "He behaved strangely. His mother reported to others she was afraid he was going to harm her."
On October 26 last year, Ellis removed a smoke detector and used the petrol as an accelerant when he set fire to the flat.
In the wake of the blaze, two Samurai swords, two knives and a blank firing pistol loaded with cartridges were found in Ellis's bedroom.
Ellis had expressed remorse for the death of his mother, stating that he intended to kill himself in the fire and did not know she was home.
The court heard Ms Yankson had previously worked as an Imperial College administrator and had been a main carer of Ellis's brother, who has autism.
Ellis had been charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the alternative offence of manslaughter and arson.
The pleas were accepted by the prosecution after psychiatrists agreed he was suffering from depression and schizophrenia.
His victim and mum, Beatrice was known as the area's 'flamboyant Arsenal fan' and tributes poured in after her tragic death.
Friend Maria Constatinou, 66, told the Islington Gazette at the time: "She was an outgoing, strong and healthy person. She was funny, telling me jokes while we had a coffee together.
"She used to come here and talk about her past. We would talk about our children.
"She was a nice person and a good neighbour. She offered to take me to the doctors in her car and she took me shopping sometimes.”
