Stuart Miller Solicitors client Mr F was charged with attempted murder after a “postictal psychosis”, also described as epileptic seizure induced psychosis, resulting in him stabbing a man.
Mr F has had a detailed and troubled mental health and medical history since childhood. He has suffered severe and worsening epileptic seizures and mental health problems since the age of 5.
Stuart Miller Solicitor’s dedicated serious violent crime team commissioned witness statements at trial that explained that these episodes have gotten increasingly violent since his difficult childhood.
On the day of the incident, at 9:30 am on Stoke Newington High Street, Mr F attacked an orthodox Jewish man dressed in traditional clothes with a kitchen knife. To avoid the attack, the complainant ran into the NatWest bank close by.
Although the attack continued, the complainant escaped thanks to public intervention. Mr F was held down and apprehended until police arrived on the scene.
Despite pleading guilty to the offence, Stuart Miller’s serious crimes defence lawyers, Anna Sidgwick and Abu Kibla, provided our client with a dedicated defence, resulting in a not guilty verdict by reason of insanity.
The firm’s team of skilled criminal defence lawyers commissioned expert medical witnesses to write statements about the state of Mr F’s mental health and how it contributed to this attack.
Stuart Miller’s defence lawyers presented witness statements from the defendant’s family and medical expert statements at trial that explained his conditions that contributed to the circumstances of the offence.
Mr F’s charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon were dropped.