In his latest Crime Brief column for the New Law Journal, David Walbank QC examines the concept of insanity

In this month’s Crime Brief in the New Law Journal, David Walbank QC reviews R v Keal (Jonathan Robert) [2022] 2 Cr App R 4. The case turned on whether the special verdict of not guilty by reason of insanity was available to a psychotic and deluded defendant, who was aware that his acts were wrong but believed himself to be compelled to commit the offences in question. The Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) re-visited the M’Naghten rules but ultimately re-affirmed that there is no defence of ‘irresistible impulse’.

For the full article, see: [New Law Journal]