A “LAYABOUT” son who knifed his parents to death will inherit their £1.5million fortune following his release from jail.
Daniel Dighton launched into the frenzied attack at the family home in Croydon, South London, when he was told to get a job.
CollectDaniel Dighton has been released from jail after stabbing his parents to death[/caption]
Elizabeth and Barry Dighton had begged their layabout son to find work
The killer stabbed his mum Elizabeth 28 times, while dad Barry was knifed four times in the 2009 horror.
Dighton was jailed for 15 years after being convicted of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
The 49-year-old was released from prison in October last year following a parole hearing, the Parole Board confirmed.
He now stands to inherit his parent’s £1.5million fortune as he was the sole beneficiary of their will, Evening Standard reports.
Had he been convicted of murder, Dighton would have been automatically barred from accessing the money but the lesser charge meant he could claim the money upon his release from jail.
Former headmaster Barry, 61, and mum Elizabeth, 60, had grown tired of supporting their “layabout” son, who “spent his days loafing around the house and his nights drinking”.
They were even forced to lock away their cash to stop him taking it, the Old Bailey was told.
The only child even lied to his friends about living at home – once claiming he had taken up a job in Thailand and putting on fake tan to keep up the charade.
On the day they were killed, Barry and Elizabeth came home from shopping for a family trip to France to find Dighton then aged 35 – sleeping off a boozy night out in his bed.
A row broke out and Dighton armed himself with two knives before knifing his parents.
As he stabbed his mum, she asked him: “What are you doing Danny? I love you.”
Dighton replied: “I know, I love you too.”
A neighbour called the police after hearing screams, with Barry found slumped over dead in an armchair.
His wife was lying on the living room floor, while officers found Dighton smoking in the loft.
He told them: “It’s just an argument that got out of hand. I don’t normally lose my rag like that. I wish I could turn back time.”
Judge Timothy Pontius imposed an indefinite sentence and recommended Dighton only be released when he was no longer considered a danger to the public.
Sentencing, he said: “This was a truly horrific act of savagery.
“Yours was always a loving and close-knit family.
“Your parents were affectionate, generous and loving. It is hardly surprising your parents felt at the end of their tether.”
Former headteacher Barry was knifed four times
AlamyNeighbours had alerted police after hearing screams coming from the family home[/caption]