Jason Kakaire: A tragedy that could have been prevented
A man who stabbed five people at random in North London will be detained at a high-security hospital. Jason Kakaire will be held at Broadmoor Hospital after admitting five counts of wounding with intent and possessing a knife.
Marjorie Wallace, Chief Executive of SANE, on the sentencing today of Jason Kakaire, who stabbed five people in Edmonton, North London, in March 2019: A tragedy that could have been prevented.
“The story behind these shocking headlines is of a severely ill mental patient who was failed by those responsible for his care.
“Jason Kakaire, who has suffered psychosis since his teens, was placed alone in a flat on the seventh floor of a tower block, and initially visited once a month by a care team. When his mother told the team that he was experiencing suicidal feelings, the decision was made to seal the windows, but not to readmit him to hospital or sheltered accommodation despite her pleas.
“He was expected to attend a day centre to collect prescriptions for his medication. But according to his family most of the time he was too afraid to leave the building and would spend his days in his room, neglected and tormented by voices in his head.
“SANE has been working with the Kakaire family who like many other families of seriously disturbed patients received little or no support, either before or after such terrible – and we believe preventable – events.
“We ask how could such a very ill young man have been expected to live alone and with inadequate care and supervision in the community, despite the warning signs that he had increasing paranoid delusions?
“Such failures in our care system lead to far too many lives being destroyed or damaged, as were those of Jason Kakaire’s victims. They also make it harder for people with mental illness, the vast majority of whom are never violent, who experience further stigma.
“We call for an independent inquiry into the care and treatment Jason Kakaire received from Barnet, Enfield and Haringey Mental Health NHS Trust.”
Related articles:
Edmonton stabbings: Jason Kakaire held at secure hospital – BBC News
