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Child killer's jail 'surprising' Child killer's jail 'surprising'
(about 6 hours later)
A mental health charity has expressed its surprise that a father who admitted murder has been jailed and not sent for treatment in a secure psychiatric unit.A mental health charity has expressed its surprise that a father who admitted murder has been jailed and not sent for treatment in a secure psychiatric unit.
Perry Samuel, 35, a manic depressive, was sentenced to life and ordered to serve at least 35 years after pleading guilty to murdering his two children.Perry Samuel, 35, a manic depressive, was sentenced to life and ordered to serve at least 35 years after pleading guilty to murdering his two children.
He smothered son Aidan, three, and five-year-old daughter Caitlin at their home in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.He smothered son Aidan, three, and five-year-old daughter Caitlin at their home in Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire.
A criminology professor said it was unusual he did not use plead insanity. A criminology professor said it was unusual he did not plead insanity.
Mold Crown Court heard how unemployed shop assistant Samuel killed the brother and sister while they were having a bath on 5 November last year. Earlier the same day he took them for tea at McDonald's.Mold Crown Court heard how unemployed shop assistant Samuel killed the brother and sister while they were having a bath on 5 November last year. Earlier the same day he took them for tea at McDonald's.
The court heard that at 2300 GMT Samuel calmly called 999 and said: "There's a problem with the children." Two officers found Caitlin and Aidan lying in the bath.The court heard that at 2300 GMT Samuel calmly called 999 and said: "There's a problem with the children." Two officers found Caitlin and Aidan lying in the bath.
Sarah Graham said her "beautiful babies" will never be forgottenSarah Graham said her "beautiful babies" will never be forgotten
Sentencing Samuel, Judge John Roberts said: "I believe that your motivation was simply malice, malice against the children's mother."Sentencing Samuel, Judge John Roberts said: "I believe that your motivation was simply malice, malice against the children's mother."
Although Samuel and his partner Sarah Graham, 23, had previously split up, they were together at the time of the murders.Although Samuel and his partner Sarah Graham, 23, had previously split up, they were together at the time of the murders.
He might have suspected she was seeing a male friend after looking at text messages on her mobile phone.He might have suspected she was seeing a male friend after looking at text messages on her mobile phone.
The court was told Samuel had been receiving different forms of mental health care since March 1998, including being sectioned in January 1999.The court was told Samuel had been receiving different forms of mental health care since March 1998, including being sectioned in January 1999.
But he had not used his mental health as a excuse for his actions and pleaded guilty to murder, not manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.But he had not used his mental health as a excuse for his actions and pleaded guilty to murder, not manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
Horrific natureHorrific nature
Mental health charity Sane said Samuel had a history of depression and admissions to hospital.Mental health charity Sane said Samuel had a history of depression and admissions to hospital.
Chief executive Marjorie Wallace said they were surprised a person like Samuel was not receiving treatment in a secure psychiatric unit, considering his history of manic depression and admission to psychiatric hospitals.Chief executive Marjorie Wallace said they were surprised a person like Samuel was not receiving treatment in a secure psychiatric unit, considering his history of manic depression and admission to psychiatric hospitals.
She said: "While in no way diminishing the horrific nature of the children's deaths and the devastating affect their loss has had on their family, we are also concerned about the kind of care a person with a serious mental illness may receive in the community." She said: "While in no way diminishing the horrific nature of the children's deaths and the devastating effect their loss has had on their family, we are also concerned about the kind of care a person with a serious mental illness may receive in the community."
Samuel was arrested and questioned by police for three daysSamuel was arrested and questioned by police for three days
Every year around 55 murders - 9% of the total - are committed by people with a mental illness, said the charity, and added that it is not always known what part their condition played in driving them to such a desperate act.Every year around 55 murders - 9% of the total - are committed by people with a mental illness, said the charity, and added that it is not always known what part their condition played in driving them to such a desperate act.
Philip Bean, a criminology professor at Loughborough University, said people with manic depression sometimes plead one of the insanity defences or use it as a form of mitigation.Philip Bean, a criminology professor at Loughborough University, said people with manic depression sometimes plead one of the insanity defences or use it as a form of mitigation.
"But this was either not put forward or offered in some other way and the judge clearly felt that manic depression and his condition did not really have any impact on what he did" he said."But this was either not put forward or offered in some other way and the judge clearly felt that manic depression and his condition did not really have any impact on what he did" he said.
Following Friday's sentencing, several organisations sent out statements extending sympathy to Caitlin and Aidan's family.Following Friday's sentencing, several organisations sent out statements extending sympathy to Caitlin and Aidan's family.
Internal reviewInternal review
Sally Ellis, Director of Social Services for Denbighshire, and Gren Kershaw, Chief Executive of Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust, said the family had suffered a "truly terrible loss."Sally Ellis, Director of Social Services for Denbighshire, and Gren Kershaw, Chief Executive of Conwy and Denbighshire NHS Trust, said the family had suffered a "truly terrible loss."
"We have all been affected by this tragic case and we owe it to the family and to the local community to do everything we can to see if there are any lessons to be learned by those agencies involved with the family" they said."We have all been affected by this tragic case and we owe it to the family and to the local community to do everything we can to see if there are any lessons to be learned by those agencies involved with the family" they said.
The family will be invited to take part in an internal review and the final report will be compiled by an independent expert and the recommendations will be available to the public.The family will be invited to take part in an internal review and the final report will be compiled by an independent expert and the recommendations will be available to the public.
North Wales Crown Prosecution Service said this has been a "harrowing case" that had touched the hearts of all those involved.North Wales Crown Prosecution Service said this has been a "harrowing case" that had touched the hearts of all those involved.