MENTALLY ill people are still being sent to jail in Halton with their problems undiagnosed, the World has learned.

Halton magistrates court doesn't have always have a psychiatrist on hand to diagnose people's problems, sources have revealed.

The result is that vulnerable, mentally ill people can spend weeks or months languishing in jail before they get help, or they are moved to a specialist unit.

Some solicitors and magistrates are frustrated and concerned by the problem, first exposed by the World last year.

"There are ongoing concerns that there doesn't seem to be any immediate access to psychiatric services, for obviously very vulnerable defendants," said one solicitor, who does not want to be named.

Many defendants that appear before the court have mental health issues, from alcohol dependency to clinical psychosis.

But the World has discovered no-one is readily available to confirm a diagnosis for their obvious symptoms.

A spokesman for the mental health trust covering the area, The 5 Boroughs Partnership, told the World the trust did not think Halton needed a specialist when the system was originally set up five years ago.

The World understands this now means defence solicitors are left in the dark without a clinical diagnosis to argue with, and magistrates do not have the information to pass the correct sentences.

Defendants can end up being sent, untreated, to jails where they can become victims of physical and psychological bullying.

A spokesperson for the 5 Boroughs Partnership said the Trust is working with the magistrates to draw up a business case for specialist cover to put forward to the body that funds health locally, Halton Primary Care Trust.

"Despite there being no formal scheme in place, members of our senior management team have met with the bench chair to address the issue and have agree that we will provide a service on request by the courts," said the spokesperson.

sbailey@worldgroup.co.uk

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