Lord Herbert wrote on Aug 16
th, 2014 at 8:57am:
wally1 wrote on Aug 16
th, 2014 at 8:40am:
If it was a performance then why didnt the other suspects plead insanity?
Because that would have been too obvious. That would have blown his chances of being believed.
wally1 wrote on Aug 16
th, 2014 at 8:40am:
He was diagnosed with a mental illness even before he got arrested on terrorism charges.
link please.
Herbert, this is from the court documents, he saw multiple psychiatrists before his arrest.
There are reports from both Dr Olav Nielssen and Dr Bruce Westmore. Each of these gentlemen is a well-qualified and experienced psychiatrist. The reports of Dr Nielssen are dated 22 September 2005, 20 November 2007 and 12 February 2008.
13 In his first report, Dr Nielssen stated:
“Mr Sharrouf is a 21 year (old) disability pensioner with three young children. He was subjected to physical abuse by his father and was affected by his father's desertion of the family during his early teenage years. He reported that his early performance at school was normal. There was a history of conduct disorder in adolescence and he did not return to school after being expelled in year 9. There was a history of substance abuse in adolescence that may have contributed to the onset of mental illness. He reported some employment as a labourer, but none since the onset of mental illness three years ago.
Diagnosis of schizophrenia is made on the basis of the histories of typical symptoms of the illness, Mr Sharrouf 's presentation at interview and the reports of his treating psychiatrist. He appears to have a fairly disabling form of the illness, in that it has resulted in significant impairment in his intellectual performance confirmed in psychological testing performed last year. Control of symptoms may have varied, depending on the dose of antipsychotic medication.
Mr Sharrouf may also have developed epilepsy on the basis of the confirmed history of seizures in the last six months. Epileptic seizures are associated with exacerbations of symptoms of psychotic illness, particularly in the period after a seizure.”
14 Dr Nielssen recommended a treatment plan that would include continued close supervision. He suggested that the patient might need a higher dose of Olanzapine than 10 mgs per day.
15 Dr Nielssen saw the accused at his rooms shortly prior to his arrest in November 2005. He also spoke to the accused by AVL to Burwood Court in early March 2006. He then interviewed the accused on 16 November 2007 and provided a report dated 20 November 2007. For the purpose of this report, Dr Nielssen examined the Crown case statement and a summary of the overt acts provided by the Crown.
16 Dr Nielssen took a further history from the accused which revealed hallucinations and paranoid events particularly related to his experience in custody. The conclusion stated in the report was as follows:
“On the basis of the symptoms reported by Mr Sharrouf and his presentation during the recent interview, I believe he is experiencing an acute exacerbation of his chronic mental illness. The further episode of illness is a direct consequence of ceasing treatment with antipsychotic medication some months ago.
Mr Sharrouf reported hallucination of tastes, smells and visions that are often associated with temporal lobe epilepsy. There was a history of treatment in hospital after what were thought to be epileptic seizures...
Mr Sharrouf is currently unfit for trial. The acute exacerbation of psychotic illness has resulted in gross impairment in all areas of intellectual function, in addition to the persecutory beliefs arising from the hallucinations. He would be unable to follow the proceedings or provide reliable instructions in what would clearly be a complex trial.”
17 Dr Nielssen recommended that the accused should be transferred to Long Bay Hospital for further investigation and intensive treatment with antipsychotic medication. He thought that, if the accused were to resume treatment, he should recover sufficiently to be considered fit for trial within three months.
18 The final report of Dr Nielssen was prepared following a further interview he had with the accused on 8 February 2008. Dr Nielssen said:
“On the basis of the symptoms reported during the interview in November and alluded to by Mr Sharrouf during the recent interview, and his presentation during those interviews, I believe he is experiencing an acute exacerbation of the chronic mental illness schizophrenia...the further acute episode of illness was thought to be due to ceasing treatment with antipsychotic medication in the second half of 2007 and treatment with a relatively low dose of antipsychotic medication since his transfer to the MRRC...
Mr Sharrouf remains unfit for trial, as he has gross impairment of all areas of intellectual function that would prevent him from following the proceedings, or providing reliable instructions in what would be a very complex matter.”
Forum
Pages: 1 
