Tories Demand Probe Into Rise of Defendants Declared Unfit for Trial

Conservative lawmakers are demanding an urgent investigation into a significant increase in defendants being ruled unfit to stand trial due to mental health issues. Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy stated that the number of accused individuals diverted into psychiatric care has nearly doubled over the past six years, raising "serious questions of public safety" and potentially undermining justice for victims.

Analysis of figures from HM Prisons and Probation Service, as reported by the Daily Mail, revealed that 37 criminal defendants were ordered to be detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act in 2019. This number rose to 72 in the last full calendar year before the current administration. In 2023, the figure stood at 58.

Timothy suggested that "wherever possible criminals must stand trial and, if found guilty, be given a full criminal sentence." He questioned the reasons behind the increase in hospital orders for mental health grounds and called for an investigation to determine if offenders are genuinely unfit to plead or are exploiting the system.

A recent case highlighted by the report involved Ayodele Jamgbadi, 30, who was charged with murder. Jamgbadi was deemed unfit to stand trial due to significant mental health issues after killing 61-year-old grandfather Jorge Ortega with a single punch in December 2024. A jury later agreed in a trial of facts that Jamgbadi had punched Ortega, who died two days later from a catastrophic brain injury. Jamgbadi was subsequently committed to indefinite hospital care.