Jeremy Bamber trial examination

[lookout]

I've done that - not thinking of killing anyone anytime soon though 

Jeez, I'd be scared of hurting myself. I have an aversion to being injured in any way.

[lookout]

But you conveniently leave out the pertinent part at the end in which he states that there had never been anything about her behaviour to suggest that she could become violent.

I have different coping mechanisms, or maybe it's simply that I've never been near plate glass at the right time?

Famous last words as spoken by a psychiatrist. I wonder how many of those letters he's written that see his patients committing murder ?

A deep breath is my coping mechanism and it works too.

[Jane]

Famous last words as spoken by a psychiatrist. I wonder how many of those letters he's written that see his patients committing murder ?

A deep breath is my coping mechanism and it works too.

 Probably fewer than you imagine but it will be impossible to get it 100% right without taking every child away from every mother who voices what Sheila did, and as we know, THAT can set up other problems.

Controlled breathing is always good for destressing.

[lookout]

Probably fewer than you imagine but it will be impossible to get it 100% right without taking every child away from every mother who voices what Sheila did, and as we know, THAT can set up other problems.

Controlled breathing is always good for destressing.

Children are only taken from mothers in extreme circumstances anyway and providing that other members of the family can look after them it's less of a job for the authorities to deal with. I've known newborns going home to drug-addicted parents under the assurance that the parents attend classes/meetings on a regular basis that they will be weaned off their habit. Same as those who are alcohol dependant. If the parents miss/skip these support centres then the chances of losing the baby/children are high. 

[Jane]

Children are only taken from mothers in extreme circumstances anyway and providing that other members of the family can look after them it's less of a job for the authorities to deal with. I've known newborns going home to drug-addicted parents under the assurance that the parents attend classes/meetings on a regular basis that they will be weaned off their habit. Same as those who are alcohol dependant. If the parents miss/skip these support centres then the chances of losing the baby/children are high.

Which is basically what was happening in Sheila's case. The twin's care was shared by day fostering, mother in law, Colin and her parents. What more, given that he never believed she could be violent, could Ferguson have done?

[Caroline]

Children are only taken from mothers in extreme circumstances anyway and providing that other members of the family can look after them it's less of a job for the authorities to deal with. I've known newborns going home to drug-addicted parents under the assurance that the parents attend classes/meetings on a regular basis that they will be weaned off their habit. Same as those who are alcohol dependant. If the parents miss/skip these support centres then the chances of losing the baby/children are high.

They weren't taken from her! Colin and Sheila had SHARED custody but they lived with him so she could sort herself out.

[Jane]

They weren't taken from her! Colin and Sheila had SHARED custody but they lived with him so she could sort herself out.

Which must surely mean HAD Ferguson had any real concerns about her behaviour with the children, Colin would have been informed and the appropriate action would have been taken.

[Caroline]

Which must surely mean HAD Ferguson had any real concerns about her behaviour with the children, Colin would have been informed and the appropriate action would have been taken.

Clearly - but custody was shared. Also, the incidents that are being discussed ie. the hand through the window, happened years before the murders so are hardly relevant.

[Jane]

Clearly - but custody was shared. Also, the incidents that are being discussed ie. the hand through the window, happened years before the murders so are hardly relevant.

And she wasn't ill, either.

[lookout]

And she wasn't ill, either.

I'm afraid I'd be at arms length from anyone who could put their hand through a window. It's definitely not normal.

[Jane]

I'm afraid I'd be at arms length from anyone who could put their hand through a window. It's definitely not normal.

How very judgemental. Are you saying you could be great friends with someone, find out they once put their hand through a window, and drop them? On the other hand, how do you relate to anyone? Whilst they may not have done it yet, it's not to say they won't in the future.

[Kaldin]

They weren't taken from her! Colin and Sheila had SHARED custody but they lived with him so she could sort herself out.

The first time it happened, yes, but did Colin actually want her to have joint custody after the breakdown of March 1985?

[Jane]

The first time it happened, yes, but did Colin actually want her to have joint custody after the breakdown of March 1985?

I've never seen anything about him wanting sole custody, but it seems he had no reason for saying she was an unfit mother. Sure, the boys had accidents -children can be accidents looking for places to happen- but they were dealt with appropriately and no agency appeared concerned for their welfare.

[Caroline]

The first time it happened, yes, but did Colin actually want her to have joint custody after the breakdown of March 1985?

They had joint custody - but lived with Colin, whether he wanted it or not.

[Kaldin]

I've never seen anything about him wanting sole custody, but it seems he had no reason for saying she was an unfit mother. Sure, the boys had accidents -children can be accidents looking for places to happen- but they were dealt with appropriately and no agency appeared concerned for their welfare.

His letter to Nevill suggests that he wanted sole custody.