Latest news with #MentalHealthAct1983
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
OAP wife who repeatedly slashed husband with Samurai sword 'had no choice'
Joanna Rowland-Stuart, 71, repeated slashed husband Andrew, 69, to death with the Samuari sword she'd bought in the 1980s at their 15th floor Brighton flat An elderly woman who killed her husband by repeatedly slashing him with a Samurai sword, has been deemed unfit to plead. Joanna Rowland-Stuart, 71, had been deemed 'unfit to plead' to the murder of her husband Andrew, 69, in their 15th-floor flat in Brighton, on May 27 last year. She appeared in front of a jury at Lewes Crown Court for a trial of the act which decides if someone physically committed a crime, rather than their intent. She told police attending the scene that 'she had no choice' but to kill him, after he attacked her with the sword, which she had bought in the 1980s. Rowland-Stuart was given an indefinite Hospital Order Under Section 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983. The case comes in stark contrast to the sentencing of Marcus Arduini Monzo who also used a Samurai sword to kill his victim, 14-year-old schoolboy Daniel Anjorin. Last month Monzo was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 38 years and 309 days in jail. The court heard he killed, skinned and deboned his pet cat Wizard before he launched the spree of violence in Hainault, north-east London, on April 30 last year. During the rampage, he virtually decapitated Daniel and attacked a pedestrian, two police officers and a couple in their own home, jurors heard. Afterwards, he likened events to Hollywood movie The Hunger Games and claimed to have an alternative personality of a "professional assassin". He was found guilty by an Old Bailey jury which found Monzo guilty of Daniel's murder, three charges of attempted murder, aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article relating to a kitchen knife.
Daily Mail
6 days ago
- Daily Mail
Trans woman killed her husband by 'stabbing and slicing him' more than 50 times with samurai sword she bought in the 1980s, jury finds
A trans woman killed her husband with a samurai sword by 'stabbing and slicing him' more than 50 times, a jury has found. Joanna Rowland-Stuart, 71, had been deemed 'unfit to plead' to the murder of her husband Andrew Rowland-Stuart, 69, in their 15th-floor flat in Lavender Street in Brighton, on May 27 last year. She told police attending the scene that 'she had no choice' but to kill him after he attacked her with the sword, which she bought in the 1980s. When police and paramedics arrived at the scene, they tried to conduct life-saving treatment, but Mr Rowland-Stuart's injuries were 'simply not survivable'. On Thursday afternoon, jurors at Lewes Crown Court found that Rowland-Stuart had killed her husband in a trial of the act which decides if someone physically committed a crime, rather than their intent. Rowland-Stuart was given an indefinite Hospital Order Under Section 41 of the Mental Health Act 1983. While prosecuting, Charlotte Newell KC said there was 'no doubt' Rowland-Stuart had inflicted the injuries, 'which she did by stabbing and slicing him over 50 times with a samurai sword'. Ms Newell added: 'Although Joanna Rowland-Stuart made some suggestion to attending police officers at the time that she did act in self-defence - the crown suggest that can safely be rejected. 'On the basis that, whatever the cause for attacking Andrew, the sheer number and the nature of the wounds that she inflicted, could not possibly be a reasonable use of force.' Jurors heard that Rowland-Stuart, who is transgender, married Mr Rowland Stuart, known as Andy, in a civil partnership in 2006. Their neighbours gave witness statements that described them as a 'normal couple' who they had never heard arguing. Describing the scene, Ms Newell said: 'Andy was lying in the small living room in a pool of blood - he was covered in blood from significant knife wounds to his hands, his arms and to his torso - he was wearing underwear and a long sleeve t-shirt and that was soaked through. 'The samurai sword, which had been used to inflict all bar one of the injuries, had been placed back on a sheath and back on its stand from where it was later recovered.' During the trial, Rowland-Stuart was found 'unfit' to plead and participate in her trial. Judge Christine Laing KC ruled: 'She would be an unreliable witness in her own defence and would not be fit to be cross-examined, and for those reasons alone I find her unfit to plead.'
South Wales Argus
24-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Cwmbran man assaulted man and headbutting police officer
Marcus Parry, 28, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court after committing a string of offences in Cwmbran on April 20 last year. Alice Sykes, prosecuting, told the court a man woke up in his own home in the middle of the night and went to the bathroom. But when he got to the bathroom, he was attacked by Parry. The defendant punched the man in the face and body, and then 'rained blows' down on the victim. The victim felt a palpitation in his chest, and the next thing he remembered was waking up to find the defendant was gone. Doorbell footage showed Parry had entered the man's home at around 2.30am and left at around 2.40am. The victim attended The Grange Hospital and was found to have 'no lasting injuries', but a number of cuts and bruises. In a statement read out to court, the victim said he was 'angry' that someone would break into his home and attack him. Police attended his address and the defendant was located nearby a short time later. A lone female officer came across Parry and noticed he was swaying on his feet – appearing to be under the influence, The defendant then headbutted the officer, connecting with the bridge of her nose. A struggle broke out, during which the officer punched Parry twice in an attempt to daze him. In a victim impact statement, the officer said she was 'alone', 'smaller' and 'at a physical disadvantage'. Parry surrendered after the officer warned she would use her PAVA spray. When searched in custody, Parry was found in possession of Benzodiazepine – a Class C drug. Ms Sykes said Parry was also identified damaging the front doors at Discount Pram Centre that night. The defendant was recorded on CCTV jumping over the gates, picking up a metal pole, and smashing the front doors at around 1am that night. The defendant, of Cardigan Crescent in Croesyceiliog, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, assaulting an emergency worker, criminal damage, and possession of a Class C drug. The court heard Parry had no previous convictions. Judge Jeremy Jenkins told defence counsel Sol Hartley that he intended to follow the recommendations in the reports prepared on Parry. 'There is a bed available for Mr Parry,' Mr Hartley said. 'He is currently an inpatient.' Judge Jenkins said he was 'satisfied on the evidence' that Parry was suffering from schizophrenia. He sentenced the defendant to a hospital order under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act 1983.
The Irish Sun
12-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
We live in shadow of psychiatric hospital housing UK's most dangerous killers – it's so creepy not even the birds sing
IN an eerie rural village walled in by beautiful country fields, spooked residents lock their doors at the first blare of warning sirens, while "not even the birds sing". That's because this creepy community exists in the dark shadow of one of the UK's most notorious - and troubled - high-security psychiatric hospitals, whose grim alumni include 15 This sleepy rural village lies in the shadow of one of the UK's most notorious psychiatric institutions Credit: Roland Leon 15 Just doors down from residents' homes, the institution's fences are visible Credit: Roland Leon Since in 1912, the village of Woodbeck in rural Nottinghamshire has existed cheek by jowl alongside Rampton mental health hospital - one of three such high-security institutions in the UK holding patients with dangerous, violent or criminal tendencies. Despairing residents - many of whom have worked in the facility themselves - claim their house prices are stuck in a rut thanks to the prospect of living doors down from deadly criminals. Others, in light of a recent damning watchdog report, reserve their biggest fears for the overworked staff at One former nurse, who wished to remain anonymous , told The Sun: "It's a dangerous s**thole. It's understaffed and morale is horrific." They added: "I would say a staff member is going to get killed." Around 400 patients, who have been detained under the Mental Health Act 1983, are currently housed at the site. Originally opened as an "overspill" for Broadmoor Asylum, it covers 190 acres and consists of 14 high-security main ward blocks and 14 secure "villas". One villager, who has lived there for 20 years, described the procedures in place for locals in case any of the inmates ever managed to escape. "If anyone got out, they'd be going somewhere," they eerily told a Fellow resident Julie Edwards added: "We get fire engines going by because of the nature of who's in there, but you just expect that of an evening." The Dull Truth About Serial Killers In recent years, Woodbeck has been voted the worst place in Nottinghamshire for community wellbeing. The lack of shops, buses or a school mean many residents feel "stuck" there, and they say it has become "more cut off" over the years as facilities have been stripped bare. 15 Soham murderer Ian Huntley was initially held at the facility Credit: Alamy 15 Killer nurse Beverley Allitt, with baby Katie Phillips whom she later murdered, was also housed there Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd 15 Rampton also housed cannibal killer Peter Bryan who committed three gruesome murders between 1993 and 2004 Credit: Handout 15 Charles Bronson has spent more than half a century in various prisons and psychiatric hospitals including Rampton The average house price in Woodbeck is £150,000, far lower than the £269,000 seen across the UK. During The Sun's visit, one woman who was interested in purchasing a home there said she and her partner knew it faced the hospital, but had decided to take a look anyway, tempted by the price. However, the woman, who asked not to be named, said: 'It's the creepiest place I've ever been and I'm not coming back. "There's something really spooky about it and I don't feel comfortable here at all. "It's a good price and it's quite spacious but it feels quite surreal. I can't even hear the birds sing.' 15 The eerie fences of Rampton Mental Hospital Credit: Roland Leon 15 Barry Woolley, a former hospital employee, remembers fonder days Credit: Roland Leon 15 Many locals can't shake the eerie feeling Credit: Roland Leon 15 A creepy play park lies deserted Credit: Roland Leon Local mechanic Mark Smith told One resident explained the houses used to be all owned by the hospital itself, but are now privately owned or rented, with many staff buying them "on the cheap". Local Michael Warriner, meanwhile, said many people who move to the village to work at the hospital don't generally stay long. "It's just something to secure their CV and they don't really take pride in the area," he said. 'Anxious, isolated and unsafe' The hospital hit the headlines in May after a healthcare watchdog stated that the facility requires "urgent improvement,' following its rating of "inadequate" in January 2024. The Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS trust that runs it was being probed over the care of Nottingham killer The Care Quality Commission (CQC) report said that between March 2024 and February 2025, staff submitted 777 incident forms where the reasons stated were "clinically unsafe staffing". The Sun spoke to a former nurse team leader who worked there for 11 years and still lives in Woodbeck, which was once filled with NHS workers. The man, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed there is a culture of micromanagement and backstabbing, with staff severely undervalued and given little support. The former staff member claimed there were situations that had been "swept under the carpet", adding: "You have one qualified member of staff running back and forth between two or three wards." 15 Rampton holds patients with dangerous, violent, or criminal tendencies Credit: Roland Leon 15 It hit the headlines in May after a healthcare watchdog stated that the facility requires 'urgent improvement' Credit: Roland Leon 15 Martyn Farrow lives a stone's throw from the hospital's fences Credit: Roland Leon Martyn Farrow, who worked as a Rampton nurse for 12 years and then as a security officer for 13 years, lives a stone's throw from the hospital's imposing double fence. The grandfather-of-seven, 69, says the hospital relies heavily on agencies, adding that staff play the system for an easier life. He said: 'There is no training like there used to be. When I first started working at Rampton, staff spent 18 months on a training course – now I'd be amazed if they did two days. 'There should never be one qualified person for two or three wards. "In the past, some wards had 34 patients and six specialist staff per ward. It's criminal mismanagement.' The hospital was rated "requires improvement" by government watchdogs following an unannounced inspection in March. While the CQC found some "clear improvements" had been made, it said the trust had work to do "to address staff shortages and support staff". Sometimes staff were found to be working alone at night, unable to take breaks, and reported feeling "anxious, isolated and unsafe". In January 2024 a coroner called for improvements at the hospital following the death of a patient who swallowed a crayon. 'Child killer called me mum' Villager Barry Woolley, 79, was a staff nurse at Rampton for 20 years and reminisced about the days when dances were held for patients and wards took part in football tournaments. He said: 'The patients came in and were told what they were doing, and a lot of the staff came from the forces. I think society is different now.' Valerie Farrow was a nursing assistant in women's services at Rampton with her husband Martyn, where she came to know Beverley Allitt, a former nurse who killed four babies and attempted to kill three others at a hospital in Grantham, Lincolnshire , in the 1990s. The 77-year-old said: 'If I hadn't known what she'd done, I'd never have known. She was always all right with me. "We'd talk about all sorts, nothing to do with her crimes. If they ever wanted to tell me what they had done, I'd listen, but I never asked. "You have to put it all to the back of your mind.' Who are the UK's worst serial killers? THE UK's most prolific serial killer was actually a doctor. Here's a rundown of the worst offenders in the UK. After his death Jonathan Balls was accused of poisoning at least 22 people between 1824 and 1845. Amelia Sach and Annie Walters became known as the Finchley Baby Farmers after killing at least 20 babies between 1900 and 1902. The pair became the first women to be hanged at Holloway Prison on February 3, 1903. William Burke and William Hare killed 16 people and sold their bodies. Valerie grew so acquainted with Carol Barratt, who murdered an 11-year-old schoolgirl at a shopping centre in Doncaster in 1991, that the killer called her "mother" and invited her to her wedding. 'A few got married in Rampton,' she said. 'I enjoyed the work. I felt I was doing something to help, it gave me a sense of purpose.' Now, as troubling questions continue to be asked about the facility, residents of sleepy Woodbeck are being left with much darker memories. Becky Sutton, Chief Operating Officer at Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, told The sun: "Our colleagues are dedicated to delivering excellent care, often in challenging circumstances. "We actively listen to feedback from them, working in partnership to make improvements to support our colleagues and our patients, enhance safety and build a stronger learning culture. "We know there is more to do, and we're focused on working closely with colleagues to make further improvements so we can meet the standards our patients and colleagues deserve." 15 Valerie Farrow came to know baby killer Beverley Allitt Credit: Roland Leon 15 Locals living in the village of Woodbeck feel overshadowed by its dark secret Credit: Roland Leon
ITV News
28-05-2025
- Health
- ITV News
Mental health inequalities experienced by Black communities in Berkshire explored in new report
A new report has explored the mental health inequalities experienced by Black communities in local services. Mind in Berkshire heard from more than 180 people on several key themes relating to Black people's access to mental health care and support. Between 2021 and 2023, data showed that Black individuals were over three times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white individuals in the county. The charity was commissioned by the local NHS Trust to engage with Black communities to understand the context behind these figures better and identify themes that may help inform future service development. Berkshire Healthcare NHS Trust said it has a dedicated project aimed at understanding and addressing the issues. The feedback explored themes of: Mind in Berkshire is a partnership between two mental health charities, Oxfordshire Mind and Buckinghamshire Mind. Jess Willsher and Joel Rose, Co-CEOs of Mind in Berkshire said: "This report, a product of our collective efforts, represents an important step in understanding the experiences and perspectives of Black communities in Berkshire about mental health services. "We are grateful to everyone who contributed so openly to this engagement. "It is important that these findings now lead to constructive and collaborative change, across the system, so that disparities are reduced and experiences improve." Dr. Kathryn MacDermott, SRO of the Mental Health Act Detentions Project at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Nationally and within Berkshire, Black people are disproportionately more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act 1983. "For the last two years, Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust have had a dedicated Mental Health Act Detention project which aims to understand and address these longstanding racial inequalities. "We welcome the findings of the report and will continue to work with Mind in Berkshire, embedding learnings from the report within the ongoing work we are doing."
