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11 June 2013, 15:10 | Updated: 12 June 2013, 16:29
SSRIStories Summary: Man with problems given neuroleptics (“anti-psychotics”) despite being diagnosed as depressed for which he takes antidepressants. He gets worse on these medications so the medications are changed for different medications in the same class. He suffers “terrible mood swings” hears voices, and has paranoid thoughts. Nobody thinks he is dangerous despite a history of domestic violence and his reports that he feels “hatred toward unfamiliar people”. He murders his partner after which psychiatrists decide he has a personality disorder. Although it is known that long-term use of the meds he was taking reduce self control and can cause outbursts of extreme rage, the meds are never mentioned in any news articles, nor are they considered a relevant factor by the person investigating the event for the NHS.
46-year-old Mark Golds stabbed Claire Parrish in a house on Copshall Close shortly after 9.30pom on Sunday, 15 July 2012.
Ms Parrish had told Golds she wanted to end their relationship because of the violent way he “controlled” her.
The 37 year-old was taken to the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow but died a short time later. A post-mortem examination showed she died from blunt force trauma to the abdomen.
Golds was arrested and then charged with murder. When he stood trial at Chelmsford Crown Court on 28 May, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter, However, today (Tuesday, 11 June) he was found guilty of murder and will be sentenced tomorrow afternoon.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Stuart Hooper, said: “Mark Golds is a controlling individual who verbally and physically abused Claire, controlling her over a long period of time until she could take no more.
“As a manipulative individual, he could not face up to the misery he had caused her over the years despite her being a loving partner and mother.
“She had never once contacted the police to report his violent behaviour and so, sadly, we never knew of her tormented life and so could not have stopped her suffering.
“We only hope that those people, men or women, who are entwined in cruel and unhappy relationships with their partners have the courage to contact us and allow us to help them get out of such terrible times.
“If there is something to be learned from this case, then it is that the police service is there to help people who feel trapped in such violent domestic partnerships.
“In their bedroom that summer’s evening, Mark Golds turned on Claire in a ferocious and sustained attack which you would not want to imagine. He has shown no remorse ever since. On behalf of all those involved in the investigation, I would like to pay tribute to Claire’s family.
“Despite their trauma and the ordeal of the trial, they have conducted themselves with great integrity and dignity throughout.
“This approach has been in stark contrast to the behaviour of Mark Golds who has failed to accept responsibility for his actions, shown no remorse and sought at every opportunity to lie his way out of this case.
“It is my hope that this conviction will bring some comfort to Claire’s family and friends. I would also pay tribute to my investigation team and the Crown Prosecution Service for their professionalism and determination during this time.
“Officers from the Kent & Essex Serious Crime Directorate worked tirelessly to obtain this conviction supported by family liaison officers who offered practical and emotional support to Claire’s relatives and friends.”
In a statement, Claire’s family said: “Claire was a wonderful young woman. She was the best daughter you could hope for; an amazing mum and nanny who doted on her grandson.
“Mark Golds has not only taken a daughter, he has taken a loving sister, aunt, mum and nanny. Claire should have had so many years to watch her young family grow up, but they were brutally taken from her; leaving a family shattered and one which will never recover.
“The adults realise that Claire will never be coming back, but her two elder children constantly have panic attacks, are stressed and feel very alone while her two younger children are constantly distressed and ask when their mummy is coming home from hospital.
“Claire’s children will never be the same while her grandson, Reece, doesn’t understand why he won’t see his nanny again.
“These 10 months have been sheer hell. This monster has not only murdered Claire, but he has destroyed her family. One evil act, so many ruined lives.”
OVERVIEW REPORT INTO THE DEATH OF CP ON 15 July 2012 – Report produced by Jackie Sully on behalf of the Safer Harlow Partnership 28 November 2013
To view complete report click here
This section of the report relates to MG only…
Agency involvement relating to MG;
5.1 Records show that during the period covered by the review MG was seen at the surgery on 17 occasions…
5.1.2 In addition the practice records show that an attempt was made to contact MG on 5 separate occasions, when he had failed to attend his regular medication reviews, or when he had failed to attend a GP appointment.
5.1.3. In January 2009 the practice received a letter from MG’s psychiatrist regarding his ongoing depressive episodes…In June 2009 MG visited the GP and requested another appointment with the psychiatrist. The notes state that he was taking medication for depression, and had failed to attend the last 2 pre-booked meetings with the psychiatrist as he “could not get up in the mornings”. It was also noted at this time that MG had not worked for some time…
5.1.8. At a GP review in January 2010, MG completed a depression self-assessment tool, and scored himself 17 out of 27. MG disclosed that he had not attended the last appointment with the psychiatrist, but following the GP review, MG was assessed as being compliant with the prescribed medication…; The practice received an update from the psychiatrist at the end of March 2010, which stated that MG was suffering from “terrible mood swings”. The report also recorded that MG was hearing 2 or 3 voices which were telling him that what CP said was “false”. The psychiatrist requested further tests relating to MG’s heart functionality before he could be started on additional medication for the new symptoms.
5.1.12 Notes record a visit at the end of September 2010, when MG reported… that he has a supportive partner who he can talk to. Due to an increase and change of medication MG reported that he was feeling much better with “less voices in his head”.
5.1.15. There was a further depressive episode recorded in September 2011, and a subsequent visit to the GP noted that MG had been prescribed further anti-psychotic medication…
At the end of January 2012 there was another update from the Derwent Centre to the GP, which stated that MG was “heavily dependent” on his partner (CP), and psychologically resistant to other treatments. There is no explanation as to what heavily dependent means or what the effects of the identified dependency could be.
5.1.17. A further letter to the GP recorded that MG’s medication had been increased once again.
5.1.18. At the end of May 2012 MG visited the GP to inform him that he was moving in with his partner (CP). The GP questioned MG’s dependency on CP but MG said that she was providing daily challenges to him and to his anxieties. It was noted that MG had a further appointment with the psychiatrist in July. The GP increased MG’s blood pressure medication at the same appointment, as his blood pressure was high and had been raised over the last 2 checks. Further blood tests were ordered and MG’s summary notes were handed over to him in order for him to transfer to a new GP surgery nearer to CP’s home.
6.1 Agency involvement relating to MG
6.1.1. MG was referred to psychiatric services in March 2004 and was seen as an outpatient until July 2004. MG reported that he had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. However as there are no notes available covering this period there is no information to substantiate this claim. It should be noted that none of the clinicians who have assessed him since have supported this diagnosis.
6.1.2. MG’s GP referred him to psychiatric services again in January 2007. He was said to be suffering from “marked depression”…
6.1.3.There were bi-monthly psychiatric outpatient appointments until July 2007…
6.1.4. MG’s medication was changed at this point… as it was felt that his symptoms had become worse and he needed additional support…
6.1.5. The allocated social worker worked with MG until Dec 2007, …to help MG to come to terms with the end of his [MG] described himself as disabled due to the pain in his arm and with a diagnosed heart complaint…He also described himself as passive whilst “wanting to destroy”.
6.1.6. CMHT discharged MG in Dec 2007 as he had embarked on a new relationship and was receiving help and support from his local church.
6.1.8. MG continued to be seen as an outpatient during 2008 and seemed to become more stable as the year progressed,
6.1.9. MG was seen in September as his mood had deteriorated and there was an apparent onset of new psychotic symptoms. He disclosed that he had punched himself in the head and stomach, and four weeks previously had stepped onto the train tracks with a view to ending his life. He stated that this was following contact with his wife. MG stated that he was hearing voices in his head but was unsure whether this was actually a voice or his conscience. The CRHT assessment stated that MG had a “depressive disorder, precipitated by a relationship breakdown, loneliness, loss of job.
6.1.11 In March 2010 MG attended [an] appointment with CP. He stated that he was living in her house with her 3 children but was maintaining his own accommodation. He described “terrible mood swings” and voices in his head telling him to be suspicious of CP. At the same appointment he stated that CP “knows him inside out” and was immediately able to recognise his distress and helped him to cope better. He reported feelings of anxiety when he was out in public and only left the house to walk the dogs or to collect CP’s children from school. He denied any suicidal or homicidal intent, and stated that although the voices were still there, the intensity had reduced and he felt able to control them. At this appointment MG’s psychiatrist started MG on additional anti-psychotic medication, which appeared to give MG symptomatic relief.
6.1.16 A review of MG’s diagnosis was conducted by the same senior trainee in November 2011. He was aware that there had been a mention of schizophrenia in the past, but there was nothing mentioned in the clinical notes. The doctor discussed the possibility of a “borderline personality disorder” with MG as his depressive episodes were brief but recurrent. It was further assessed that the “auditory hallucinations” appeared to be situational, and would therefore not be helped by MG’s anti-psychotic medication. The doctor noted that MG was reliant on the sedative properties of the medication he was taking, and made a note stating again that MG was also dependent on his partner and health professionals.
6.1.17 MG continued to be seen by the same doctor at out-patient appointments, and notes record that he was always accompanied by CP. MG stated that he would not be able to cope without CP and that she needed to go everywhere with him as he could not tolerate being out on his own. He felt people were talking about him. The doctor recorded that MG would be better off with psychological therapies rather than medication but as MG was heavily dependent on the prescribed medication, he would be resistant to the suggestion of any alternative approach.
6.1.18 Outpatient appointments continued at regular intervals and MG always presented the same as within previous consultations. His final appointment before his arrest was on 10 July 2012. At this consultation MG reported he felt that people were looking at him “the wrong way” and talking about him “with contempt”.This prompted inner feelings of hatred towards unfamiliar people. ‘
6.1.19 Following his arrest, MG was seen by a senior practitioner within the Criminal Justice Mental Health Team. They found no evidence of any significant mental disorder.
6.1.20 The Consultant Prison Psychiatrist determined that MG suffers from a personality disorder, but did not think the symptoms reported were related to a functional psychotic illness. MG is on an ordinary prison wing and is compliant with his prescribed medications…