Blackburn schizophrenia patient made threats to kill mother (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn schizophrenia patient made threats to kill mother

9:16am Thursday 9th August 2012 in News

A MAN with paranoid schizophrenia, who made threats to kill his mother, has been made the subject of a hospital order.

Winston Eastham claimed they had made a suicide pact. He had also suggested that as soon as he was released from psychiatric care, he would go home, kill his mother and then kill himself.

The 46-year-old of Midsummer Street, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to a charge of making threats to kill.

Preston Crown Court heard that last December, Eastham was a voluntary patient at the Royal Blackburn Hospital .

Stephen Parker, prosecuting, said that on December 13, when a nurse spoke to him, he indicated he had thought of killing his mother, that it would be kinder to end her life, rather than suffering when old and without dignity.

The nurse did not have any sense of alarm, but instead took it to be a philosphical conver-sation.

Eastham agreed to stay on the ward as a voluntary patient while a care plan was worked out for him upon release.

Three days later, on December 16, the conversation was more disturbing. Mr Parker told the court: “The nurse tried to discuss a care plan with him, but he wasn't complying with her suggestions.

“He said he had had strong urges to kill himself and his mother since the night before.

“He told her he had nothing to live for.

“He said he didn't have a gun, so he would use a knife to slit his throat.

“He said he and his mother had made a suicide pact.”

Judge Michael Byrne imposed a hospital order, without restrictions.