BB FANS

I don't know much about the law system, I would be grateful if someone could answer my question, if he is sectioned for being mentally instable and is not put on trial, if in a few a years down the road it has been determined that he is sane after being in secure mental hospital for a number of years would he then be allowed to leave return to a normal life and not face any trial or punishment?

oh, i dont think so because he is still found guilty, even if he does not stand trial, they will still have a case on it and it will go to court, he will end up in there for a long time.

I know someone who was in Broadmoor, but he was cured, back when the Krays were first put in there (he was sectioned at the same time) they never understood properly the different stages of Mental Health but the case of Huntley must be serious for them to even consider putting him in a mental prison, even in a few years, that man will not be forgotten and i should hope that he is re-tried if he is mentally unstable to do it now.

I dont know that one michelle, yes he has been charged but he has not faced a court and has not been found guilty yet. No sentance has been passed, it all depends on that sentance, and whether he is found guilty.

Thanks for the information.

We studied this when I did Law at A Level. I've just had a look at my old notes and...

Basically, if Huntley is considered to be insane by two doctor's, then it will be considered unwise to bring him to trial, because of the effect on his mental state and because the public needs to be protected. If this happens to Huntley, then he will be immediately detained in a mental hospital. This happens before the trial. There is another thing to be considered and that is the unfitness to plead at the time of the trial. If, because of his mental or physical state, he is unable to appreciate the significance of the criminal trial, he may be found unfit to plead. This will be decided by a jury. If they decide that he is unfit, he will go to a mental hospital and the case will be thrown out. If he gets better, it is unlikely that he will have to stand trial at all. However, he will have to go through loads of test's to determine whether he is well enough to not be a danger to the public anymore.

Jeez....what a terrifying thought

Thanks AIF, I am glad you are taking up law you must be very clever that is one of the most hardest subjects to do. My brother took up physics because he thought Law was too difficult.


Therefore if the case is thrown out because of his mental instability then in a couple of years should he get better then he may never have to stand trial at all. I know the guy may be unwell, I understand that but at the same time I cant help feeling that justice may not be served in this case.

The law on insanity is very messed up, I think. I really think they need to change it. Did you know that someone with diabetes can plead insanity? I think that says it all, really!

However, if he does to a mental hospital, he will be treated well and they will NOT in under any circumstances release him unless they are 100% certain that he isn't a danger to himself or the public anymore. He will have to go through loads of test's and that could take month's, even year's.

I'm looking forward to studying Law next month. People tell me that it is hard, but I don't really think so...but I haven't started my degree yet!

everything to do with mental health is messed up.

Also the problem is that it is still such an unknown field...there are some tests you can do, but you have to rely on the patient being open and honest with you...

If its anything like Guys Hospital Mental Health Ward they will just stick him in a bed and feed him prozac and valium for the rest of is life.

Which University will be going to? You are going to have a great time. I am studying science and most of the time it is a laugh but very hard work.

The law is totally messed up concerning the mental health of prisoners you hear of so many being released in to the community even when they aren't really safe to be let out. Sometimes I think it is do with political situation at the moment because of the shortage of beds in hospitals.

I'm going to Anglia Polytechnic Uni and it's my induction day on the 16th- yikes! I am looking forward to it though, but I'm a bit nervous as well!

I think there is so much wrong in the UK at the moment- our legal system, NHS, mental health- and I wish Tony and his cronies would do something about it!

The induction day is no problem you are not even their most of the day you will be given a hand book, timetable then get shown around the Uni and be given a tutor who will be with you from day one till you leave. The first week you wont be doing much studying except getting lost most of the time. Their is no need to be nervous, I do admit to being nervous myself but then you wonder why because the atmosphere is very relaxed. I have heard of Anglia it is supposed to be very good. I hope you have a good union our's is rubbish.

The legal system concerning mental health is pretty bad, but it was even worse years ago, my mums uncle had a mental health problem during the war he was a prisoner of war which was how it started and then they didn't recognise mental health as a problem, when he escaped although really he was unfit mentally to go back to war he was sent back and it only made him worse. When the war was over he was that bad mentally he was unable to get any work and he never received any help because of his illness, never received any money from the government. If he had have lost an arm and his war injury was more visable he would have gotten help and an allowance.

Wasn't the man seen on tv being spoken to by the police the day before he was taken in for questioning? He seemed fairly sane to me?

Maybe they are just going to have him checked out properly so he doesnt plead insanity and therefore get of on a technocality?

With regards to Roehampton, This institute costs £52m a year to run and although I concede mental health is an illness, some of the worst murderes and phsycho are kept here.

I will be very interested to see what the outcome of all this will be.

Yes, there was a list in the paper's of the people that have been to that hospital. People like Beverley Allitt, Mary Kelly, Jason Mitchell...

I also thought that he looked pretty normal, but he has undergone a series of test's and so there must be something wrong with him. But the doctor's at the hospital have put him under a 24 hour watch so that they can observe his every move in case he's faking it or something.

Btw, thanks a lot Michelle- I'm feeling a lot less nervous about it now! I'll probably have a few butterflies on the first day but I'll keep telling myself that everyone will be in the same boat as me lol.