CPS statement following the sentencing of Joseph Peachey for attempted murder

19/08/2011

CPS statement following the sentencing of Joseph Peachey for attempted murder

Crown Advocate Anthony Hill said:

"Joseph Peachey made a conscious decision to try and kill his father. When challenged in the act of doing so, he assaulted a nurse, a hospital security guard and two police officers. These assaults arose out of a protracted incident of public disorder in the middle of a hospital ward containing terminally and critically ill, elderly, patients who must have been shocked and distressed by the level of violence and abusive language used. Quick-thinking staff removed the other terminally ill patients from the ward whilst colleagues sought to calm the defendant down.

"Despite the tragic and emotional situation, and Joseph Peachey's apparent love and care for his father, the public interest called for this matter to be brought before a criminal court. In deciding to prosecute this case we took into account all the circumstances of the incident, the CPS policy on prosecuting cases of homicide, which includes attempted homicide, and his previous history of serious offending."