A young man who walked into a bank armed with an axe and a knife in the hope police would shoot him dead, wishes to be given an indefinite sentence in custody.
Ryan Seddon, who turned 23 today (May 11), from Rhyl, has previously pleaded guilty to two counts of being in possession of a bladed article when he went in to Barclays bank, St Werburgh Street, by Chester Cathedral, on Tuesday October 28 last year.
An earlier hearing was told he hoped police would attend the incident because ‘he wanted them to kill him’.
Sentencing of the case has been continually postponed because Seddon has mental health issues and is currently the subject of an interim hospital order under section 38 of the Mental Health Act.
Recorder Patrick Thompson, presiding at Chester Crown Court, said he was in receipt of a letter from a doctor to the effect that he wished to complete an ongoing psychological assessment to assess the defendant’s suitability for further treatment interventions which was likely to take about three months.
However, the interim hospital order had to be renewed every 28 days and he was minded to renew it.
Peter Barnett, defending Seddon, of Paradise Street, Rhyl, told the judge: “The defendant wishes to be sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of custody rather than the order being continued, it’s a matter for you.”
Indeterminate sentence explained
An indeterminate or indefinite sentence is the imposition of a sentence by imprisonment with no definite period of time set during sentencing. Its length is determined during custody based on the inmate’s conduct. The inmate could be returned to society or be kept in prison for the remainder of his/her life.
But the Recorder replied: “It’s not what the defendant wishes it’s what the court thinks is best.”
Refusing to discuss sentencing options, he added: “It’s a matter for the judge who sentences the case once his assessment is completed. It seems very important all enquiries are made. It’s a very very serious case, somebody going into a bank with a weapon.
“It seems to me these enquiries need to be made. My current intention is that this section 38 should be extended for a further 28 days.”
He told the defendant: “Ryan Seddon, stand up please, I understand you wish to be sentenced as soon as possible but it’s important that the court has all the information before sentencing this matter.
“The doctor feels further assessment is necessary. Hopefully that will be completed within the next three months. Any judge dealing with your case, it won’t be me, will want to have the information before it before deciding on the appropriate sentence. I’m going to extend the current hospital order for a further 28 days.”
Seddon was remanded until June 8 when the case will be ‘mentioned’ again in court.
