07.08.2013 Views

Unfitness to Plead Consultation Responses - Law Commission ...

Unfitness to Plead Consultation Responses - Law Commission ...

Unfitness to Plead Consultation Responses - Law Commission ...

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

sensitively. A lawyer was obtained and I attended the listed hearing along with the<br />

lawyer <strong>to</strong> support Mr Z.<br />

Upon arrival at the court, despite a solici<strong>to</strong>r being instructed by Mr Z and arranged by<br />

Kids Company, a duty solici<strong>to</strong>r had been in<strong>to</strong> the cells <strong>to</strong> speak <strong>to</strong> Mr Z and had him sign<br />

legal aid forms and instruct him. I spoke <strong>to</strong> the solici<strong>to</strong>r and said he was unwell and it<br />

was unethical <strong>to</strong> change his lawyer <strong>to</strong> someone who knew nothing about the case or his<br />

his<strong>to</strong>ry at the last minute and he had instruction, and the lawyer became extremely<br />

verbally abusive and started shouting. This lawyer then disappeared (with the signed<br />

legal aid forms) and I with another key worker who had been working with Mr Z offsite<br />

pleaded with the lawyer <strong>to</strong> stay. She did and represented Mr Z who sat growling and<br />

staring under his brow at the magistrate. He did not know the difference between the<br />

lawyer who he had seen in the cell and the other lawyer; he did not follow clearly what<br />

was going on, and the magistrate who was visibly irritated agreed <strong>to</strong> send him back <strong>to</strong><br />

Brix<strong>to</strong>n, for Kids Company <strong>to</strong> arrange a psychiatric assessment with Brix<strong>to</strong>n and for him<br />

<strong>to</strong> appear at Crown Court. This highlights the need for a procedure <strong>to</strong> ensure that from<br />

the outset of the criminal process unfitness <strong>to</strong> plead is considered.<br />

Kids Company sent a psychiatrist (privately paid for) <strong>to</strong> work with the Brix<strong>to</strong>n mental<br />

health team and Mr Z was remanded in the secure wing <strong>to</strong> begin treatment for<br />

psychosis.<br />

Mr Z was deported before his trial or completion of his treatment unexpectedly from<br />

Brix<strong>to</strong>n prison <strong>to</strong> the Ivory Coast, Kids Company only knew of this after a letter written<br />

from Mr Z <strong>to</strong> a worker arrived after the event.<br />

41

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!