Computer programmer in Ukraine 'eats his grandma alive'

London, August 05 (ANI): A computer programmer has been arrested for allegedly eating his 60-year grandmother alive.

Sergei Zhmaryov, 26, cut up the old woman with a shard of broken mirror and mutilated her face, said shocked police.

Cops said the alleged attack by Zhmaryov - known to neighbours as a religious fanatic - was a ritualistic killing.

"All this time she was conscious and tried to escape, screaming," the Sun quoted one police source as saying.

To stop the cries for help the grandson then allegedly sliced off her tongue - and ate that as well.

Eventually his grandmother Lydia - who lovingly raised him as a child after his parents split - died from her devastating wounds.

Police in Simferopol, Ukraine, had to pump gas into the flat to subdue and then arrest the alleged killer.

When he was arrested Zhmaryov was dressed only in his underpants, holding a cross and chanting prayers.

Police believe he may have been conducting a perverted 'funeral service' for his grandmother.

Local police chief Olga Kondrashova in Simferopol said: "We can only confirm that a 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

"I can add that this murder was committed with particular cruelty. We cannot disclose further details in the interests of the investigation."

Zhmaryov was admitted to smoking cannabis before his frenzied attack.

He is expected to face murder charges and could be jailed for up to 20 years. (ANI)