The failings that led to killings
13 April 2012
Several high-profile killings by mental health patients have raised fears over service failings. Attacks that happened in London included:
- Schizophrenic Jason Cann, 22, was convicted of manslaughter in January for the 2003 killing of psychiatric health assistant Mamage Chattun, 34, in Springfield Hospital, Tooting. South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust was fined for failing to ensure staff safety.
- Days after Peter Bryan, 36, was released from Newham Centre for Mental Health, he murdered Brian Cherry, 43, and cooked and ate his brains. While awaiting trial in Broadmoor he murdered fellow inmate Richard Loudwell, 59. Bryan was given two life sentences in March.
- John Barrett, 42, walked out of Springfield Hospital in October 2003 and stabbed Denis Finnegan to death in Richmond Park last September. Barrett pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
