Court Hears Defendant Is A Vulnerable Person Who “Could Be Manipulated”. Earlier Plea Is Set Aside

By Alric Lindsay

A man appeared in the Summary Court today, July 23, 2026, faced with a theft allegation.  However, it emerged that there were mental health concerns, leading Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions to offer no evidence against the man.

The court heard that a psychiatric report on the man found him to be vulnerable and potentially open to manipulation, though key details of the case were not shared.

While no information was shared, it was indicated that Crown Counsel from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions had sight of a psychiatric report, suggesting that the man’s condition was “long-standing.”

The Chief Magistrate highlighted that the man was “a vulnerable person” and “he could be manipulated.” She added that this was “what all the reports say”.

Defence counsel described how long it had taken to establish the position, because the man’s family did not respond to her.

She told the court she had repeatedly approached them about his circumstances — “I kept asking the family… and they weren’t answering.” She pressed the point more than once.

It was only later that defence counsel made contact. “I was able to speak to [his] mother,” she said. “She gave me certain information.” That, together with the earlier report, established the pattern the psychiatric assessment confirmed.

She added that an earlier report prepared when the man was 16, “highlighting the same problems… so, this is not a new thing.”

She concluded: “The facts of the case… how they occurred, you can now understand why they happened the way they did.”

Having heard from counsel and reviewed reports, the Chief Magistrate indicated that the plea previously entered by the man could not stand and must be vacated.

In the circumstances, DPP Crown Counsel confirmed that it would offer no evidence and the Chief Magistrate returned a verdict of not guilty.  The man was then made free to go.