A Dutch tourist who bashed his mother to death during a psychotic episode has been sentenced to eight years in a psychiatric institution.

The horrific incident took place in the Costa del Sol town of Estepona on December 5, 2022.

The man had been due to stand trial before a jury next Monday, but his defence reached a last-minute deal with prosecutors.

The killing took place at a property where the man was staying while on holiday.

His mother, a 61-year-old woman from the Netherlands, had travelled to Estepona after being alerted by one of her son’s friends that he had been behaving strangely.

According to court documents, shortly after she arrived at the house the pair became involved in an argument.

At that point, the defendant – who was suffering a severe psychotic episode that had completely distorted his perception of reality – repeatedly struck his mother on the head with a chest of drawers.

The attack caused severe cranial injuries that ultimately led to her death.

Her body was discovered the following day in one of the bedrooms by the owner of the property, who was also a friend of the accused.

The man was later arrested and transferred to the psychiatric unit at the Costa del Sol Hospital in Marbella, where he remained hospitalised.

Once his psychotic episode stabilised, the court said he became aware of what had happened and has since cooperated in efforts to repair the harm caused to his family.

Read more Andalucia news at the Spanish Eye.