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Killer Barred From Suing Over Release Before Murders
22 Jan
Summary
- Man found not guilty by reason of insanity for murder cannot sue authorities.
- Supreme Court ruled unanimously against the claimant's right to sue.
- The claimant's release preceded the fatal attacks on three elderly men.
The Supreme Court has ruled that a man who killed three elderly men cannot sue authorities over his release prior to the attacks. Alexander Lewis-Ranwell, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was found not guilty by reason of insanity in 2019 for the murders of Anthony Payne, 80, and twins Dick and Roger Carter, both 84.
These killings took place hours after Lewis-Ranwell was freed from custody, having assaulted an elderly farmer with a saw. He had initiated legal action in 2020 against Devon and Cornwall Police, G4S Health Services, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, and Devon County Council, alleging failures in his care and improper release.
While lower courts had permitted the case to proceed, the five Supreme Court justices determined that barring the claim was not unfair. They emphasized that killing another human being, regardless of criminal culpability, breaches a fundamental societal rule.
Lewis-Ranwell was subsequently detained at Broadmoor Hospital. The court clarified that his lawful detention is a direct consequence of his actions, rejecting the argument that his lack of moral culpability should enable his lawsuit.
