16/11/2006
Schizophrenic killing was 'avoidable'
The killing of a man by a paranoid schizophrenic with a history of violence could have been avoided if the patient had received better health care, a report has claimed.
John Barrett, 43, attacked and repeatedly stabbed 50-year-old Denis Finnegan as he cycled through Richmond Park in south-west London in September 2004.
Barrett had absconded from Springfield Hospital in Tooting, south London, the night before the killing. He had been granted an hour's "ground leave" from the Shaftesbury Clinic, a secure unit, but failed to return.
After leaving the hospital, Barrett bought a number of kitchen knives and took a taxi to Richmond Park where the killing took place. Speaking after the killing, Barrett said that he bought the knives because voices in his head were telling him to kill.
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was jailed for life in March 2005.
The report, conducted by an independent inquiry, suggested that poor communication and insufficient monitoring contributed to Barrett's escape.
The decision to give Barrett the hour's ground leave, by consultant psychiatrist Dr Gill Mezey was also described as "seriously flawed".
(KMcA)
John Barrett, 43, attacked and repeatedly stabbed 50-year-old Denis Finnegan as he cycled through Richmond Park in south-west London in September 2004.
Barrett had absconded from Springfield Hospital in Tooting, south London, the night before the killing. He had been granted an hour's "ground leave" from the Shaftesbury Clinic, a secure unit, but failed to return.
After leaving the hospital, Barrett bought a number of kitchen knives and took a taxi to Richmond Park where the killing took place. Speaking after the killing, Barrett said that he bought the knives because voices in his head were telling him to kill.
He pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility and was jailed for life in March 2005.
The report, conducted by an independent inquiry, suggested that poor communication and insufficient monitoring contributed to Barrett's escape.
The decision to give Barrett the hour's ground leave, by consultant psychiatrist Dr Gill Mezey was also described as "seriously flawed".
(KMcA)
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10 November 2006
Man pleads guilty to stabbing student
A man who stabbed a student to death on a train has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Thomas Lee Wood, 22, from Skelmersdale in Lancashire admitted killing first-year student Thomas Grant, 19, from Glouestershire who had been attending St Andrews University.
Man pleads guilty to stabbing student
A man who stabbed a student to death on a train has been sentenced to life imprisonment. Thomas Lee Wood, 22, from Skelmersdale in Lancashire admitted killing first-year student Thomas Grant, 19, from Glouestershire who had been attending St Andrews University.
28 July 2010
US Senate Postpone Lockerbie Hearings
Senate hearings in the US investigating the release of the Lockerie bomber have been postponed amid accusations that BP and British officials are "stonewalling" the probe.
US Senate Postpone Lockerbie Hearings
Senate hearings in the US investigating the release of the Lockerie bomber have been postponed amid accusations that BP and British officials are "stonewalling" the probe.
02 December 2008
Coroner Rules Out 'Unlawful Killing' In De Menezes Inquest
The jury at the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes have been told they will not be able to consider a verdict of 'unlawful killing'.
Coroner Rules Out 'Unlawful Killing' In De Menezes Inquest
The jury at the inquest into the death of Jean Charles de Menezes have been told they will not be able to consider a verdict of 'unlawful killing'.
14 December 2010
Cricklewood Murder Witnesses Sought
Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information following the murder of a woman in Cricklewood. Police were called at approximately 4.45am on Saturday 11 December to reports of a woman assaulted at an address in Whitefield Avenue, North West London. Officers attended to find 34-year-old Jacqueline Barrett dead at the scene.
Cricklewood Murder Witnesses Sought
Detectives are appealing for witnesses and information following the murder of a woman in Cricklewood. Police were called at approximately 4.45am on Saturday 11 December to reports of a woman assaulted at an address in Whitefield Avenue, North West London. Officers attended to find 34-year-old Jacqueline Barrett dead at the scene.
09 April 2014
Man Cleared Of Killing Police Officer
A man, accused of killing police officer Keith Blakelock in 1985, has been cleared of the charge. Nicholas Jacobs, 45, had previously denied killing Mr Blakelock. Blakelock was stabbed 43 times at Broadwater Farm, Tottenham, during riots that happened in north London.
Man Cleared Of Killing Police Officer
A man, accused of killing police officer Keith Blakelock in 1985, has been cleared of the charge. Nicholas Jacobs, 45, had previously denied killing Mr Blakelock. Blakelock was stabbed 43 times at Broadwater Farm, Tottenham, during riots that happened in north London.
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