Disturbed killer 'not identified as high risk'

A disturbed teenager who abducted and killed a man who asked him for directions was inaccurately assessed by doctors, according to an independent report.

But the report added that the teenager would not have been identified as a risk in any event.

Leicestershire Health Authority set up the inquiry after 18-year-old James Stemp was jailed for life for murder in July last year.

The report says: "Even if properly assessed, and an appropriate care plan prepared, it is unlikely that James Stemp would have been identified as a high-risk individual or that any different outcome would have ensued."

James Stemp, then 17, abducted 56-year-old father of three, John Dawson, in October, 1995. He forced him to drive to an isolated spot in north Leicestershire where he tied to a tree and strangled him.

Mr Stemp admitted possessing a firearm with intent to kidnap, and attempted robbery. He was sentenced to 12 years for kidnapping and seven years each for the other two offences.

At his trial, the court heard that Mr Stemp had told a psychiatrist he committed crimes for 'kicks' and had planned to kill someone.

Those allegations were not included in the report, which identifies a series of failures to keep track of Stemp as he passed through the care of the Leicestershire Mental Health Services Trust.

Stemp was referred to and discharged from a number of special treatment centres in Leicester after complaining of a head injury in February, 1995.

No record of his treatment was made and he failed to attend follow up appointments.

Between April and September 1995, the jobless and homeless youth was remanded to a young offenders institution charged with burglary.

But he was released with a "low risk assessment" from the Probation Service and given community service.

Leicestershire Health Authority manager, Cathy McCargow, said that the breakdowns highlighted in the report were unacceptable but there was no way the tragedy could have been avoided.

"We cannot be expected to cope with human wickedness. Our service deals with mental illness, and the vast majority of those people never pose a threat to anyone," she said.

Leicestershire Mental Health Services Trust has a catchment area including more than a million people and treats 4,000 psychiatric in-patients each year.

The Zito Trust - set up following the killing of Jonathan Zito by a care in the community offender five years ago - said the report highlighted how vital information was ignored by the professionals.

"The brutal murder of a family man and a complete stranger could have been prevented had the agencies responsible for James Stemp acted together to make sure that he received proper care and supervision," said the Trust's director, Michael Howlett.