Church Stretton attempted murder accused is not fit for trial
Wednesday 31st August 2011, 3:37PM BST.
A Shropshire pensioner accused of attempting to murder his ex-wife in front of horrified shoppers in the middle of Church Stretton is not fit to stand trial, a judge ruled today.
Alzheimer’s Disease sufferer Leonard Parton, 72, of Upper Galdeford in Ludlow, was charged with the attempted murder of Rosemary Ann Parton after an incident in Sandford Avenue on May 19 this year.
A hearing at Stafford Crown Court was today told Parton would not be able to cope with the rigours of a trial.
Parton, who was in court for the hearing, has been remanded in custody and a trial to determine if he carried out the attack will take place in his absence. The court heard plans were in place for Parton to be transferred to a secure psychiatric hospital.
Reports from Dr Majid Gahir, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at Rampton Hospital and Dr Claire Barkley, consultant forensic psychiatrist and medical director for South Staffordshire and Shropshire NHS Foundation Trust, both confirmed Parton was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease. Judge Robin Onions said: “I have no doubt in this case at all that Parton is unfit to enter a plea.
“If I thought his condition would improve with time I would delay such a finding, but there is no evidence to suggest it will.”
Mrs Parton suffered serious injuries to her neck, face and shoulders after the attack, which took place at in the town’s main street.
Most Commented
- Clampdown on Shrewsbury chuggers
- Bishop's gay marriage views do nothing to support bible teachings
- Planners ordered to stay on Newport visit bus
- Letter: Angered by close encounter of the furred kind
- Letter: Alcohol price plans annoy me
- Shrewsbury’s broadband speed one of slowest in UK
- Letter: No sense in overseas job adverts
Shropshire Star on Twitter
Keep updated with the latest breaking news and content on our Twitter feed.
Lifestyle
Interactive Dining Out map
Hundreds of reviews by the Shropshire Star and Express & Star's teams to help you decide where to eat.
Entertainment
All the film reviews
Before you plan a trip to the pictures, get our critics' verdicts on all the latest movie releases.
OUR NEW APP
Get the new Shropshire Star app
Download the Shropshire Star’s new app to your iPad or iPhone to get one week of access to our digital newspapers absolutely FREE.
shropshirestar.com
Popular sections
Useful links
