Politics · United Kingdom · 3 hrs ago
Conservatives call for review of defendants ruled unfit to plead
The UK Conservatives have called for an urgent review of defendants sent to hospital instead of standing trial after being judged unfit to plead.
The party says figures show 37 defendants were ordered detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act in 2019, compared with 72 last year.
The figures come from the HM Prisons and Probation Service and were analysed by the Conservatives.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said the increase raised questions about public safety and whether victims receive justice.
One recent case involved Ayodele Jamgbadi, who was charged with killing railway worker Jorge Ortega in east London in December 2024.
Jamgbadi was judged unfit to stand trial because of significant mental health issues, but a jury in a trial of facts unanimously agreed that he had punched Ortega.
The Conservatives want an investigation to establish whether defendants accused of serious violent crimes are genuinely unfit to plead or are taking advantage of the system.
The Conservatives have called for an urgent investigation into the rising number of defendants ruled unfit to plead on mental health grounds.
A Conservative analysis found that 72 defendants were ordered detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act last year, compared with 37 in 2019.
Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said the increase raised questions about public safety and justice for victims.
The Conservatives said an investigation should establish whether defendants accused of serious violent crimes are genuinely unfit to plead or are taking advantage of the system.
The article cited the case of Ayodele Jamgbadi, who was deemed unfit to stand trial after being charged with killing railway worker Jorge Ortega.
- Who
- The Conservatives, including Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy, called for the investigation.
- What
- They called for an urgent review of defendants ruled unfit to plead and diverted to hospital care.
- When
- The call was reported on 12 October 2026.
- Where
- The figures concern defendants in England and Wales; the cited case was heard at Inner London Crown Court.
- Why
- The Conservatives said the rise raised questions about public safety and justice for victims.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The significant increase in the number of serious criminals being judged unfit to plead raises serious questions of both public safety and justice for victims.
Wherever possible criminals must stand trial and, if found guilty, be given a full criminal sentence.
There must be an urgent investigation to establish whether those responsible for serious, violent crimes against the public are genuinely unfit to plead, or whether they are taking advantage of the system.
A total of 37 defendants were ordered detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act.
The figure was 58, according to the Conservative analysis.
The figure rose to 72.
Jorge Ortega suffered a catastrophic brain injury after being punched and died two days later.
A jury at Inner London Crown Court unanimously agreed that Ayodele Jamgbadi had punched Ortega in a trial of facts.
The Conservatives’ call for an urgent investigation was reported.
- Hospital detentions in 2019
- 37 defendants
- Hospital detentions in 2023
- 58 defendants
- Hospital detentions last year
- 72 defendants
- Defendant in cited case
- Ayodele Jamgbadi, 30, of Ilford, east London
- Victim in cited case
- Jorge Ortega, 61, a London Elizabeth Line railway worker
Sources
Related news
Burnham says Russia interfered in 2016 Brexit vote
Burnham pledges to publish details of his dealings with Manchester City
UK prisoners face early release as official numbers remain unclear
Polanski vows to stay as Green leader after by-election loss and party row
Labour plans to let migrants take citizenship tests from home
Government departments spent at least £5m on overseas worker visas
Iran war price rises complicate Healey’s first Budget, IFS warns
Man jailed for life after killing former partner days after early release
Notting Hill council rejects homeowner’s £500,000 extension plan
Motoring group urges UK Chancellor to cut Fuel Duty in October Budget
More than 5,000 offenders went unmonitored after tags were not fitted
