I have significant experience in a range of areas, especially the assessment of defendants in criminal cases. I have also carried out work directly for the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman, the Parole Board, the First Tier Tribunal (Mental Health) and have delivered in-house training to the Mental Health Casework Section of HM Prison and Probation Service.

The type of work can be considered by the nature of the alleged offence, or by the mental disorder.

Typical issues include:

  • Fitness to plead and stand trial – including contested fitness to plead hearings
  • Mutism
  • Diminished responsibility
  • Insanity
  • Capacity to form intent
  • Assessment of “dangerousness” – in the days of Indeterminate Sentences for Public Protection

I have often been asked to assess people charged with a range of offences including:

  • Arson – reckless arson and arson with intent
  • Homicide – especially in cases involving defences of insanity, self-defence and diminished responsibility
  • Sexual offences – including rape, sexual assault and crimes against children
  • A wide range of interpersonal violence, from attempted murder through GBH and ABH to common assault
  • Robbery
  • Fraud and other financial crimes
  • Burglary – both domestic and commercial
  • Driving offences
  • Blackmail – often sexual in nature
  • Harrassment – including against high profile individuals and families

I am often asked to assess people with a range of mental health problems including:

  • schizophrenia
  • bipolar affective disorder
  • substance and alcohol use – including novel psychoactive substances (NPSs) such as Spice
  • autism, Aspberger’s syndrome and autistic spectrum disorder
  • depressive disorders
  • personality disorders – especially dissocial personality disorder and emotionally unstable personality disorder, borderline type

I also undertake work relating to:

  • Individuals and couples involved with the family courts
  • Impact of mental disorder on parenting abilities
  • Impact of alcohol and substance misuse on parenting abilities
  • Independent reports for Mental Health Review Tribunals

Assessments can be arranged at Lion Court or at solicitors’ offices, if people are at liberty to travel, or in prison if on remand. Commonly visited prisons include HMPs Leicester, Nottingham, Lincoln, Peterborough, Woodhill, Gartree, Wormwood Scrubs and others. I undertake work for defence and prosecution. Occasionally, I am directly appointed by the Court.