A care worker from Harlesden was battered to death with a fire extinguisher after she asked a hostel resident to turn his television down, a court heard.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Michael Meanza is accused of killing Jenny FooteMichael Meanza is accused of killing Jenny Foote (Image: Archant)

Jenny Foote, 38, who lived in Thornberry Court, Craven Park, died in a ‘brutal and violent attack’ in her office at the mental health charity-run Collette House in Acton.

The Old Bailey heard Michael Meanza, 47, smiled before confessing to killing her on July 27 last year.

He had been subject to a hospital order since the 1990s, but despite threatening to kill his psychiatrist and a nurse in 2013 had been released back into the community.

Meanza had been living at the hostel for three months when Ms Foote knocked on his door in the early hours after a neighbour complained about the noise coming from his flat.

Brent & Kilburn Times: Jenny Foote lived in HarlesdenJenny Foote lived in Harlesden (Image: Archant)

Three hours later, Meanza made his way downstairs before ‘repeatedly striking her to the head and face with the large, heavy fire extinguisher,’ jurors heard.

He fled the scene and when he was arrested later that day clutching a framed photograph of his girlfriend and a radio, Meanza told police: ‘I know I’m guilty,’ jurors heard.

He later told officers it was ‘the rage’ which had caused him to do it, adding: “Three hours it’s taken to brood in me. And then I went down and I blew.”

Prosecutor Brian O’Neill QC said Meanza was prone to violent outbursts triggered by troubles in his relationship, as well as being asked to lower the noise from his television or radio, especially late at night.

Meanza admits killing Ms Foot, but claims he is only guilty of manslaughter because he was suffering from ‘severe anger pathology’ at the time.

He denies murder.

The trial continues.