This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-merseyside-22933317
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Moors Murderer Ian Brady at mental health tribunal | Moors Murderer Ian Brady at mental health tribunal |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Moors Murderer Ian Brady has appeared in public for the first time in decades, at a hearing considering his sanity as he seeks to end his own life. | Moors Murderer Ian Brady has appeared in public for the first time in decades, at a hearing considering his sanity as he seeks to end his own life. |
Brady, 75, has been on hunger strike since 1999, but is being fed by tube at Ashworth Hospital, Merseyside. | |
He claims he faked psychotic episodes and wants the mental health tribunal to allow a move to a prison in Scotland. | |
He and girlfriend Myra Hindley murdered five children in the 1960s, burying some on moors in Greater Manchester. | He and girlfriend Myra Hindley murdered five children in the 1960s, burying some on moors in Greater Manchester. |
The tribunal is being held in Ashworth and relayed by video to Manchester Civil Justice Centre, where the public and press are able to observe proceedings. | The tribunal is being held in Ashworth and relayed by video to Manchester Civil Justice Centre, where the public and press are able to observe proceedings. |
BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani tweeted a description of Brady "sitting in court wearing dark glasses, curly/wavy grey hair. He's got a feeding tube. He speaks with a very soft voice". | BBC home affairs correspondent Dominic Casciani tweeted a description of Brady "sitting in court wearing dark glasses, curly/wavy grey hair. He's got a feeding tube. He speaks with a very soft voice". |
Brady is sitting between two female members of his legal team at the hearing. | |
Judge Robert Atherton stressed that the tribunal would not consider Brady's crimes or the whereabouts of the body of missing victim Keith Bennett. | Judge Robert Atherton stressed that the tribunal would not consider Brady's crimes or the whereabouts of the body of missing victim Keith Bennett. |
Brady's current state of mental health was the only matter being considered, he said. | Brady's current state of mental health was the only matter being considered, he said. |
Forensic psychiatrist Dr Cameron Boyd gave the hearing an outline of what was said during four interviews he conducted with Brady in recent months. | |
When asked about his crimes, Brady had said that "in some way his behaviour was petty compared to politicians and soldiers in relation to wars", said Dr Boyd. | |
He added that Brady had denied being psychotic and said he had been "acting". | |
'Fairly solitary' | 'Fairly solitary' |
Sectioned under the Mental Health Act, Glasgow-born Brady has continued to be tube-fed during years of refusing food. | |
He wants to be judged sane by the tribunal and moved to a prison in Scotland, where there is no precedent for feeding a prisoner on hunger strike against his will. | |
The hearing heard that Brady had a "fairly solitary existence", with watching TV and writing letters his main activities. | |
Another expert witness, Dr Adrian Grounds, was called to give evidence about the mental health notes made about Brady since he was first jailed in the 1960s. | |
He said Brady has "spoken on a number of occasions about wanting to go to prison so he would be able to die". | |
He said there had been "very occasional" but "striking" episodes in the past where Brady appeared to be hallucinating, including in February this year. | |
But Dr Grounds said Brady claims to have learned how to simulate psychotic episodes while working as a cleaner in prison. | |
He said in the 1980s Brady displayed mental illness with psychotic symptoms but evidence of psychosis was "equivocal" and he had not "reached the threshold for compulsory treatment". | |
Dr Grounds added that, in his opinion, Brady has a very severe personality disorder, describing it as "paranoid narcissistic". | |
He said it was "characterised by superiority, self-centredness, contempt, hostility." | |
The tribunal at Ashworth had been due to take place about a year ago but was postponed because Brady was too ill to attend. | The tribunal at Ashworth had been due to take place about a year ago but was postponed because Brady was too ill to attend. |
It is scheduled to last about eight days, with the judgement then due to be reserved to a later date. | It is scheduled to last about eight days, with the judgement then due to be reserved to a later date. |
Brady and Hindley tortured and murdered five children aged from 10 to 17, burying some of their victims' bodies on Saddleworth Moor. | Brady and Hindley tortured and murdered five children aged from 10 to 17, burying some of their victims' bodies on Saddleworth Moor. |
They were convicted and jailed for life in 1966. Hindley died in prison in 2002, aged 60. | They were convicted and jailed for life in 1966. Hindley died in prison in 2002, aged 60. |