Mark Wyeth K.C. acts for defence in ‘diminished responsibility’ manslaughter case.
Mark Wyeth K.C. appears for defence in a significant ‘diminished responsibility’ manslaughter case.
The defendant, who “Throughout the various stages of his restraint [Cook] repeatedly claimed to be ‘God’ and to be able to commit violent crimes with impunity.” 1 was sentenced for killing his 76-year-old Notting Hill neighbour after admitting manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Mark Wyeth K.C. appeared in defence this Monday [23.1.23] and secured a hospital order under Section 37/41 of the Mental Health Act at the Old Bailey for Cook. Cook had pleaded guilty at the same court in November.
A Metropolitan Police statement read: “Officers arrested Cook on suspicion of murder and he was taken to St Mary’s Hospital for treatment to facial injuries sustained when he was detained on the street, and also for a mental health assessment. Detective Inspector Adam Guttridge, who led the investigation, said “This was a tragic incident. Cook is schizophrenic and is prone to drug-induced psychosis which requires medication that we believe he had stopped taking. He was also using drugs which exacerbated his condition.” 2