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ASBO to schizophrenia
man is "inappropriate"
August
28, 2009
......
An
ASBO issued to a man diagnosed with schizophrenia is "inappropriate”,
says a mental health charity
Francis
McCann, 27, of Palmers Green in east London, was issued the ASBO
last month.
He
was accused of breaking into sheds and garages and taking from skips
and bins, then selling the items on the street.
He
was given a two-year ASBO banning him from entering the Leyton and
Leytonstone areas of east London.
Police
said mental health professionals were consulted before the ASBO
was issued.
But
Richard Colwill, a spokesman for mental health charity SANE, told
the Epping Forest Guardian: “Situations such as this should
not be allowed to degenerate to the point where the police become
involved and an inappropriate course of action is taken in the form
of an ASBO.
"What
a person with serious mental health problems requires is a full
assessment by mental health professionals, resulting in a realistic
and supportive care plan.
"For
many mentally ill people the stigma and distress caused by an ASBO
could make matters even worse.”
He
added that in cases where someone is diagnosed with schizophrenia,
paranoia could be worsened by an ASBO.
A police spokeswoman told the Guardian: "Police were aware
that Mr McCann suffered from mental illness and were in regular
contact with his care workers prior to seeking an ASBO.
"They
consulted with them to establish the most appropriate means to prevent
his offending behaviour.
"He
was accompanied by a mental health care worker at court.
"In
order to issue an ASBO the court had to be satisfied beyond all
reasonable doubt that such an order was necessary to protect the
public from further anti-social acts committed by him."
The
organisation Statewatch
lists people with mental health problems who have been issued ASBOs.
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