How Can You Be A Carer With This Record?

A violent and abusive man has been locked up indefinitely for stabbing his sister 40 times in what her family described as a "totally avoidable" killing.

Yet another case where the warning signs of dangerous mental illness were ignored. They come along so fast now I've quite lost count...

At the time of the fatal attack, he was suffering a severe depressive episode with psychotic symptoms, having repeatedly sought medical help.Cunningham admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and was handed a hospital order without limit of time.

Or until someone who won't face any consequrnces for a wrong decision lets him out, 

Sentencing him on Wednesday, Judge Mark Lucraft KC said: "This was a sustained attack resulting in multiple injuries and would have continued over some period of time."He noted Cunningham's history of "violence and abuse" towards his sister and a non-molestation order against him.

Earlier, prosecutor Nneka Akudolu KC said the defendant had lived alone with his mother, Margaret Cunningham senior, in Greenland Quay and been her carer since the death of his father in 2022.

What!? How can he be judged to be a suitable carer for a vulnerable person? And it gets worse: 

His family had repeatedly raised concerns with his GP and the defendant had himself contacted the surgery 10 times in October and November 2024. The court was also told Cunningham had a history of drug-induced psychosis and smoking cannabis.

The court was told Cunningham had 21 previous convictions for 31 offences including assault, burglary and an armed robbery when he was aged 19.

 A mentally ill criminal drug taker - how can that be judged to be a suitable carer?

"Explaining behaviour is not the same as excusing it. Accountability matters. Margie's suffering matters. Margie's life matters."

Yes, it does. But there won't be any in this case, as in so many others.