A JUDGE has ordered that a mentally ill woman should be detained in hospital for treatment after she repeatedly committed offences which caused upset and inconvenience to members of the public, police and ambulance staff.
Carlisle Crown Court was told today (WED) that 42-year-old Jennifer Elizabeth Ramsay was a lady of good character until her mental health declined. This led to a number of disturbing incidents in the city last year.
On March 30, Ramsay made claims that she would harm herself to shop workers and a passer-by in the street, and ambulance crews were summoned several times.
On June 4, while on bail, she went to a primary school made similar suicidal claims, leaving a receptionist terrified and prompting police to be called.
A further city centre shop incident, and a nuisance phone call to police, occurred on November 13.
Ramsay, previously of North Street, Carlisle, admitted a number of public nuisance offences and one charge of using an electronic communication network to send false message.
During today’s court hearing, Kim Whittlestone, defending, said of Ramsay: “She very clearly indicates her apology for her offending behaviour. She makes it very clear it was a cry for help.”
Two doctors had since concluded Ramsay was suffering from a mental disorder which, the court heard, could be addressed and treated in hospital.
Based on the medical experts’ conclusions, Judge Nicholas Barker imposed a hospital order. He thanked doctors for their help, having noted that Ramsay’s offending caused “significant upset and inconvenience”.
