Yesterday Was World Mental Health Day, Have We Not Learned Anything?

[anotheoldgit]

Why was a man who was suffering from psychotic delusions not detained after allegedly waving a 30-inch knife and attempting to assault an arresting officer in Primrose Gardens, north- west London in May 2015?

He later skipped bail and was allowed to travel back to Nigeria, only to return late to attend court.

He was released without charges, since there wasn't enough evidence? Surely waving a 30-inch knife and attempting to assault an arresting officer was evidence enough?

And now he has murdered yet only been charged with manslaughter, surely the charge should have been Murder?

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/black-messiah-stabbed-death-lecturer-posting-cards-announcing-birth-daughter-1585660

[andy-hughes]

The issue appears to be with the fact that the man was given bail, rather than his mental health, although that is in turn directly linked to the tragic circumstances that followed.

[ummmm]

Mental health services are seriously under funded and seriously stretched.

Back in the 'good old days' they stuck them in an asylum, strapped them to beds, gave them electric shock treatment....and pretended they didn't exist.

Nowadays they are treated with respect, understanding and treatment...

Except...there's not enough places, not enough money, so those suffering are going untreated.

[jackthehat]

It's a tragedy, undoubtedly avoidable, all around.

Until there is a firm commitment to tackle the deficit in Mental Health Services, heartbreaking situations like this will continue to occur.

[andy-hughes]

Can't argue there ummmm.

But I do think that the man's initial arrest and his subsequent bail are not connected with his mental health.

Surely, under the government's much-trumpeted Knife Crime legislation, he should have been held pending trial, and not eligible for bail.

His mental health should not have been a factor in that decision.

[Gladeian]

Whatever the outcome of legal proceedings its going to cost UK taxpayers a fortune.
Ship him back to Nigeria and let them sort out their own.

[ummmm]

Andy...of course he should have been held but like mental health the prison resources are also stretched.

They must have a pile of files to go through and have to decide who may be the least dangerous because they can't house them all. Unless of course we bring back asylums and strap them to beds or put them in straight jackets.

[mushroom25]

it's been said in reports on this sad affair that it was revealed in court that his pyschosis was as a result of cannabis use.

just wondered if the islingtonistas on this site can explain why this case should be excluded from their "cannabis is harmless" argument?

[Gromit]

You have already posted a question on this case, why the need for another, so soon?

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1512131.html

[youngmafbog]

Well at least all the right-on liberals seem to be happy.

[ToraToraTora]

surely some mistake mush, cannot be the fluffy bunny wonder drug must have been on the nasty old booze.

[anotheoldgit]

Gromit

/// You have already posted a question on this case, why the need for another, so soon? ///

Because it was the headline news story on last nights 6 o'clock TV news.

[andy-hughes]

YMB - //Well at least all the right-on liberals seem to be happy. //

How do you know that?

[youngmafbog]

Just reading the posts above. There seems more sympathy for the plight of the perpetrator than the victim.

[anotheoldgit]

ummmm

Back in the 'good old days' they strung up savage crazy killers such as him.

[andy-hughes]

youngmafbog - //Just reading the posts above. There seems more sympathy for the plight of the perpetrator than the victim. //

We must be interpreting what we are reading in seriously divergent ways - I see no mention of any sympathy for this man whatsoever - please feel free to highlight the sections of posts I must have missed.

[anotheoldgit]

youngmafbog

/// Just reading the posts above. There seems more sympathy for the plight of the perpetrator than the victim. ///

As is always the case YMB in certain circumstances.

[youngmafbog]

There is little point, you never listen to anyone's opinion if it conflicts with your own right-on view of things.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - //ummmm

Back in the 'good old days' they strung up savage crazy killers such as him. //

Indeed they did - fortunately we are somewhat more enlightened these days.

We don't let children die in mill machinery or climb up chimneys anymore either, and women have the vote, and no-one dies of rickets, the list just goes on ....

Which 'good old days' are you thinking of?

[andy-hughes]

YMB - //There is little point, you never listen to anyone's opinion if it conflicts with your own right-on view of things. //

I would argue that that is not true, and I also concur that there is no evidence of 'support for the criminal concerned - you know that as well as I do.

[andy-hughes]

AOG - ///// Just reading the posts above. There seems more sympathy for the plight of the perpetrator than the victim. ///

As is always the case YMB in certain circumstances. //

Since you seem to interpret the posts in the same way as YMB, please point out the 'supportive' posts which I cannot find anywhere.