PLYMOUTH CARER WITH SCHIZOPHRENIA REMANDED IN MENTAL HEALTH HOSPITAL AFTER VIOLENT EPISODES
A carer who looked after a couple for 13 years with great devotion turned on them in a violent psychotic episode, a court heard.Fabien Labonne was a well regarded and respected carer.
However, the couple in his care at their home in Gunnislake in South East Cornwall, became increasingly concerned for his welfare, and theirs, when his mental health started crashing and his behaviour changed for the worse.
It came to the boil last November when his victims, who are disabled and have mobility issues, and despite efforts to be accepting and try their best to steer clear of having to involve Devon and Cornwall Police, were forced to do so when Labonne's behaviour became threatening and erratic and they feared for their safety.
A sentencing hearing at Truro Crown Court today (Wednesday, September 17) heard how on November 16 last year, the lady Labonne looked after was in bed when an argument took place and he grabbed her neck, leaving her to worry he might cause issues with the metal plate she'd had inserted in her neck.
Two days later, there was another incident when he pushed his hand on her throat and she became afraid she would lose consciousness.
On another occasion Labonne came into her bedroom holding a knife and was ranting and raving.
The final straw was on November 22 when the husband heard banging and loud noises coming from his office in the house.
When he went to see what was happening, he found Labonne in the doorway with a large kitchen knife in his hand.
Labonne put the knife down but then punched his victim in the face causing his glasses to break.
The couple called the police as Labonne's behaviour was becoming too much.
Police officers arrived and at first the 45-year-old from Plymouth was compliant.
His mood turned when the officers tried to detain him and he became so aggressive and violent that they had to use pepper spray to bring him under control.
Labonne was taken to a police station and interviewed.
As a result, he was sectioned at Langdon Hospital in Devon under the Mental Health Act 1983.
It was in August this year that he was deemed mentally stable enough to enter a plea.
He pleaded guilty to five charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and assaulting an emergency worker.
The sentencing hearing heard how Labonne was assessed and two psychiatric reports were produced confirming that he is schizophrenic and suffers from violent psychotic episodes.
His barrister said it was a sad case when he had had such a positive and close relationship with the people in his care who have written to the court asking for magnanimity on his behalf as he is so well regarded.
She said Labonne has been making good progress at the mental health unit where he is and hopes to be able to return to his employment once his mental health is under control.
His Honour Judge Simon Carr said the people Labonne had cared for had held him in very high regard and asked that he continues to receive the treatment he requires until he is safe to return to the community.
He said that Labonne had been very ill when these incidents occurred last year.
He said: "Their magnanimity towards you does them credit.
This was a series of serious assaults with a kitchen knife being produced.
You have a past history of episodes of psychotic violence.
You have been diagnosed with schizophrenia which will require treatment for life.
You have a history of relapses and pose a risk of violent outbreaks in the future." He sectioned Labonne to a mental health unit under S37/41 of the Mental Health Act until he is deemed mentally fit enough to be released in the community.
Judge Carr added: "I hope your improvement continues."
