posted on Sep, 15 2011 @ 04:52 AM
I'm from Reading and here is what someone who knew him said on our local papers website:
Sean does have problems, including tourettes, aspergers and alcohol dependence. He had been doing much better recently, having cut back on drinking a
lot. His facebook status a couple of weeks ago was that instead of spending money on drinking, he donated it to cancer research.
I know what he did was wrong, but I think he should have been given a conditional caution and been forced to apologise to the families involved. Then
put on an intense residential psychiatric course. He belongs in Prospect Park, not in prison.
It's yet another example of people ridiculing and/or ignoring mental health issues. This man, who I have known for years, obviously needed help and
didn't get it. He was trying so hard to get help. He even did volunteer work for the Green Party. He wasn't an "alcoholic loner" as most of the papers
seem to have portrayed him as. He tried so hard to fit in with other people, even though he had no social skills. Although not a close friend, he
always gave me a hug, a grin and asked how I was doing. Would always ask politely if he could join in the conversation. He really is just completely
clueless about what is socially acceptable. He should have definitely had a psychiatric evaluation before going in front of a court.
I only hope that lessons will be learned from this and that he will get treatment while he is inside, not just get ignored again.
mooosy
14/09/2011 at 12:58
www.getreading.co.uk...
Maybe he really does need help and jail wasn't the answer this time.
edit on 15/9/11 by Bridge_Boy because: (no reason given)