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On-the-run killer is found dead | On-the-run killer is found dead |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A convicted killer who escaped from a secure mental hospital in south London has died after being hit by a train. | A convicted killer who escaped from a secure mental hospital in south London has died after being hit by a train. |
Paul Caesar absconded from Springfield Hospital in Tooting on Tuesday morning, having been held there for 11 years. | Paul Caesar absconded from Springfield Hospital in Tooting on Tuesday morning, having been held there for 11 years. |
The 37-year-old had pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 1997, after killing a man in Battersea, south London. | The 37-year-old had pleaded guilty to manslaughter in 1997, after killing a man in Battersea, south London. |
Caesar died at Balham railway station, south London, two hours after going missing. British Transport Police said there were no suspicious circumstances. | Caesar died at Balham railway station, south London, two hours after going missing. British Transport Police said there were no suspicious circumstances. |
His remains could not be identified after being hit by the train. | His remains could not be identified after being hit by the train. |
They were taken to a centre in north-west London, where a forensic examination confirmed the body was his. | They were taken to a centre in north-west London, where a forensic examination confirmed the body was his. |
Caesar had failed to return after spending time unescorted in the hospital grounds on Tuesday morning and people were warned not to approach him. | |
In October 1997, Caesar was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Inner London Crown Court. | In October 1997, Caesar was charged with murder but pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Inner London Crown Court. |
He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for an indefinite period. | He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for an indefinite period. |
Previous escapes | Previous escapes |
There have been several instances of patients absconding from Springfield Hospital in recent years. | There have been several instances of patients absconding from Springfield Hospital in recent years. |
In 2004, a paranoid schizophrenic fled and stabbed a man to death in an unprovoked attack in Richmond Park, south-west London. The hospital does some great work but events such as this, which appear to be becoming more frequent, undo a lot of the goodwill that has been built up among local residents Sadiq KhanLabour MP for Tooting | |
This led to an inquiry which found serious failings on the part of the hospital. | This led to an inquiry which found serious failings on the part of the hospital. |
The same year, a patient convicted of attempted murder went on the run for a week, while two patients escaped in the space of a fortnight in 2005. | The same year, a patient convicted of attempted murder went on the run for a week, while two patients escaped in the space of a fortnight in 2005. |
Another two patients absconded in 2006, travelling 400 miles by train before being arrested six hours later. | Another two patients absconded in 2006, travelling 400 miles by train before being arrested six hours later. |
And last November a suspected burglar was missing for a week after fleeing Springfield Hospital with an alleged murderer, who was recaptured after three days. | And last November a suspected burglar was missing for a week after fleeing Springfield Hospital with an alleged murderer, who was recaptured after three days. |
The MP for Tooting, Sadiq Khan, said he had "serious concerns" about security at the hospital in the wake of Caesar's death. | The MP for Tooting, Sadiq Khan, said he had "serious concerns" about security at the hospital in the wake of Caesar's death. |
He is to raise these with the chief executive of the South West London and St George's NHS Trust. Usually all patients who are granted escorted and/or unescorted leave are being given leave as part of a rehabilitation plan South West London and St George's NHS Trust statement | |
"The hospital does some great work but events such as this, which appear to be becoming more frequent, undo a lot of the goodwill that has been built up among local residents," Mr Khan said. | "The hospital does some great work but events such as this, which appear to be becoming more frequent, undo a lot of the goodwill that has been built up among local residents," Mr Khan said. |
The trust issued a statement saying that Springfield was "a hospital, not a prison" and explaining there was a process to gradually grant leave to patients to "rehabilitate" them. | |
"Usually all patients who are granted escorted and/or unescorted leave are being given leave as part of a rehabilitation plan, which is intended to lead to their discharge from the hospital and eventually back to a community placement. | |
"The Ministry of Justice requires patients to follow graded trial leave periods. Patients are granted escorted leave followed by escorted community leave. | |
"If these trial leave periods are successful, the patient will be considered for unescorted ground leave." |