Inquiry into boy's stab death at hands of brother

AN INVESTIGATION is under way into how a young paranoid schizophrenic whose problems were known to the health service was able to stab his nine-year-old brother to death.

Daniel Taylor, 21, faces being detained indefinitely under a hospital order after prosecutors yesterday accepted his guilty plea to the manslaughter of his brother Jack.

The schoolboy, who was also known as Jackson, died on the evening of February 18 this year after Taylor attacked him at their sister Rachel's house in Rookes Avenue, Wibsey, Bradford.

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An inquest earlier this year heard the Jack was found on the living-room floor with multiple stab wounds to the neck and abdomen. Paramedics treated him at the scene but he was pronounced dead on arrival at Bradford Royal Infirmary.

The Yorkshire Post understands that authorities were aware of concerns about Taylor's mental health before the stabbing took place. Child protection experts have been asked to assess local authority dealings with the family and determine whether the attack could have been prevented. Their findings will be published after Taylor is sentenced next month.

Taylor, who lived with Jack at an address in Richardson Avenue, Bradford, appeared at the city's Crown Court yesterday to hear that prosecutors had accepted his pleas, entered in June, of not guilty to murder but guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

He also admitted unlawfully wounding his sister Rachel, 18, who was hurt as she tried to save Jack's life.

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Simon Bourne-Arton QC, prosecuting, told the court Taylor had been seen by three doctors who all agreed he suffered from paranoid schizophrenia which amounted to an "abnormality of mind". The doctors had concluded it was highly probable that Taylor was suffering from that abnormality at the time of the killing, the hearing was told.

Mr Bourne-Arton said the Taylor family, who were not present at yesterday's hearing, had been kept informed about what was happening and the reason for an adjournment.

"They have lost obviously a son, a brother and a grandson but now of course have the prospect of another son, brother or grandson being in hospital for a very significant length of time," he added.

Taylor will be sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on December 15. He is likely to be detained indefinitely at the high security Rampton Hospital in Nottinghamshire, where a bed has been found for him.

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Details of the authorities' dealings with the Taylor family will be made public later, in the executive summary of a serious case review conducted by Bradford Safeguarding Children Board.

The board's independent chairman, Prof Nick Frost, said it had to wait until "all related court and coroner's processes have been concluded".

"Obviously, our thoughts are with the family who have suffered a terrible loss and are still dealing with the consequences," he added.

Bradford Council's executive member for children's services, Ralph

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Berry, who is a Wibsey councillor, said: "There has been a full and detailed analysis of any issues which can be learned from this case. It is a devastating tragedy for any family and it has had a huge impact on the community because it happened right in the heart of the ward. Everybody has been affected in some way.

"It is a relief that the family haven't had to go through the awful

stress of having to hear evidence day by day."

Coun Berry added: "I will be waiting to see the contents of the serious case review and we must make sure that the family are fully supported throughout that process."

TRAGIC brothers Daniel and Jack Taylor had much in common and loved each other greatly, their family said.

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A statement released before the nine-year-old's funeral said: "Jack was a lovely lad who was full of joy. He'd been our lives for the past nine years and 10 months and in that time he brought us loads of happiness.

"Jack loved his family and his family loved him. He particularly looked up to his older brother Daniel.

"They were identical as kids – so alike – both of them were bright and quick."

The statement added: "Jack learned a lot from his brother and he loved him and his brother loved Jack."

jack taylor: Found on the living-room floor with multiple stab wounds to the neck and abdomen.

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