Mental health improvement for wanted businessman

A businessman wanted in South Africa for the honeymoon murder of his wife is set to apply to be treated on an open NHS rehabilitation ward after an improvement in his mental health, a court has heard.

Dr Paul Cantrell, the psychiatrist treating Shrien Dewani, would “wish to see” a relaxation in his bail conditions to help in his treatment and ensure his continued recovery, Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London was told.

The 32-year-old is currently being held at Fromeside Clinic, a secure mental health hospital in Bristol where he is subject to a curfew and must be accompanied by staff when he leaves.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Hugo Keith QC, for the South African authorities, said Dewani’s defence has written to the court and the CPS including a letter from Dr Cantrell, who described Dewani’s depression as having “materially improved”.

“It is now to be described as moderate rather than severe, that he still suffers however from severe post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and that in order to assist in his treatment and to ensure a continued recovery not only would Dr Cantrell wish to see a relaxation of the bail conditions concerning his curfew and also the obligation that he be accompanied by a member of Fromeside staff when he leaves the premises but in fact that he should leave Fromeside altogether with a view to being placed in an open NHS rehabilitation ward in the community.”

The hearing was told that a report by a psychiatrist employed by the South African authorities on Mr Dewani’s mental health has not yet been completed.

The report was requested after an earlier hearing at which Clare Montgomery QC told the court that Mr Dewani needed 12 months to recover from depression and PTSD before being able to deal with the extradition process.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dewani, who is accused of arranging the contract killing of his wife Anni in Cape Town in November 2010, is receiving treatment after being sectioned and deemed a suicide risk. He previously pledged to clear his name.

The case was adjourned until October 2. An application to vary his bail conditions may be heard on October 12.

Miss Montgomery said keeping Dewani under medical treatment in the UK for 12 months would increase the speed of her client’s recovery rather then jeopardising it by sending him to South Africa.

Related topics: