Yorkshire Ripper

[123everton]

I've just watched a show on Channel 5 about the Yorkshire Ripper, during his trial he pleaded guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility, mental illness.
He's now serving his time in Broadmoor, a mental hospital I understand, does'nt that make his plea correct then?

[MarkRae]

It doesn't (necessarily) make it correct - it just means that the court believed him...

[Buenchico]

Wikipedia has a well-written summary of the "prison v hospital" issues:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Sutcliffe

Chris

[ABerrant]

MarkRae - the Judge did not accept the case for diminished responsibility.

[123everton]

From what I understand of the case, the court didn't believe him as it rejected the plea.
I don't care where he is, just long as it's behind locked doors, with barred windows and effing big wall.
If he's ill, then he can get better and then released, or he can at least try.

[shaneystar2]

He has already tried.and launched an appeal . With legal aid and all the bells and whistles .Hopefully he'll lose the appeal .If they let him out then the law is indeed an ass.
http://www.dailymail....ourt-bid-freedom.html

[jackthehat]

<Sutcliffe began his sentence at HMP Parkhurst on 22 May 1981. Despite being found sane at his trial, he was soon diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia........ Attempts to send him to a secure psychiatric unit though were initially blocked. In March 1984 Sutcliffe was finally sent to Broadmoor Hospital, under section 47 of the Mental Health Act 1983.> - Wikipedia

[ummmm]

He'll never get out.....

And appeals by such individuals should be part of government spending cuts.