A teenager accused of murdering his grandmother was "in control" when police arrived at the scene, his trial was told.

A psychiatrist said he did not believe Pietro Addis was showing signs of psychosis in footage captured by police bodycam footage following the killing.

Dr Duncan Harding told Lewes Crown Court he believed Addis’s responsibility was not diminished when he stabbed his grandmother Sue Addis to death in January 2021.

Addis, now 19, is standing trial accused of murdering Mrs Addis at her home in Cedars Gardens, Brighton. He admits killing her and has pleaded guilty to manslaughter but denies murder.

While being cross-examined by Sarah Elliott KC, defending, Dr Harding, a forensic psychiatrist, said: "The issues have been reduced down to psychosis or anger. It's this dichotomy.

The Argus: Pietro Addis arriving to the trial at Lewes Crown CourtPietro Addis arriving to the trial at Lewes Crown Court (Image: Sussex News and Pictures)

"My opinion is about diminished responsibility. The telephone call [to 999 operators] is evidence that he is not diminished."

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He said he did not believe Addis was showing signs of psychosis, adding that he "would expect some signs if the psychotic incident happened 20 minutes before".

He said: "It would be like a hurricane going through a village, you would expect some signs."

The Argus: Sue Addis was found dead in her bathroom in January 2021Sue Addis was found dead in her bathroom in January 2021

Dr Harding said: "It is clear to me from the footage he can form rational judgement. He is shocked but he is making lucid conversation.

"He is standing there with the police and he is in control."

Earlier in the trial, Dr Peter Misch, instructed by the defence, told the court he believed Addis was suffering a “brief, transient, paranoid psychosis” at the time of the killing.

Mrs Addis, 69, was found dead in her bathroom after being stabbed 17 times. The popular businesswoman ran Italian restaurants Donatello in The Lanes and Pinocchio in New Road, Brighton.

In statements read out to court, she was described as a “warm and generous person who was very supportive of her family”.

The trial, presided over by Judge Christine Laing KC, continues.