Once upon a time in galaxy far, far away there lived a North African man in a bed-sit.  He had entered as an asylum-seeker – albeit his claim had been denied.  Our story commences at the point where he was part-way into the Home Office’s appeal’s procedure, some three years after his arrival.  Throughout the […]

I wouldn’t normally subject you to two blogs in one day, but I have just come across the case of Joe PARASKEVA. Joe is a young man who was sentenced to serve an IPP, or indeterminate sentence (for public protection), following a conviction for arson.  This offence was committed whilst detained under s2 Mental Health […]

I  just want to crack some assumptions that are often made.  My top three fears, because wheels can fall off: Alcohol preventing a meaningful assessment under the Mental Health Act – it does not follow that it is medically safe to detain someone in a police cell until they’re sober.  Custody sergeants who believe that […]