KILLER nurse Jeanette Veres could be free within 18 months, a court heard.

Veres, 66, battered an ex-colleague to death with a club hammer at a Sussex estate belonging to the late accountancy chief George Touche almost four years ago.

Experts believe she is severely mentally ill and should be detained in a psychiatric hospital.

Torched

But a row over her condition means she could be jailed instead and released within a year and a half, the Old Bailey heard.

Veres smashed rival Marion Addy, 58, repeatedly over the head with a club hammer as the victim stoked a fire in January 1996.

Then she torched her own living quarters at Holmbush House in Ashington, before fleeing in her car.

Last month Veres pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Doctors have been trying to find a bed for her at a psychiatric hospital, but the South East Regional Health Authority believes Veres is not mentally ill.

And Mr Justice Blofeld told the court that if Veres was imprisoned, she could be released shortly.

Veres was working as a nurse at Holmbush House, caring for Mr Touche, a founder of the Touche Ross empire, and his wife Elizabeth. Mrs Addy was a cleaner there.

Following Mr Touche's death, Veres' work was slimmed down and a bitter rivalry emerged between her and Mrs Addy.

Veres was asked to move out of the home and it is believed the move pushed her over the edge.

Mr Justice Blofeld ordered the South East Regional Authority to provide the court with as much information about the case as it could.

The hearing was adjour-ned until November 19.

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