Ged Doran and Correna Platt secure swift acquittal in complex mental capacity attempted murder case

Ged Doran instructed by Correna Platt of Stephenson’s Solicitors dealt with this serious and complex case.

Their client was a woman with significant psychiatric conditions who was said to have capacity and thus seemingly compelled to live and be cared for in the community . She was conscious that she was suffering a significant health crisis and was crying out for help. She  threatened to set fire to her home which could have caused significant damage and risked the lives of neighbours. She was accused of attempting to murder her Community Psychiatric Nurse by lunging at her with a knife. The CPN feared that she might have died as the knife was aimed at her neck. The case involved careful consideration of the mental heath history of the client and a sympathetic approach to her

particular difficulties. Correna and Ged went to great lengths to ensure that the client’s best interests were served when faced with the obstacles presented by the prosecution including where a doctor instructed by the prosecution elicited a confession from the client while unwell.