Why was Sabina Eriksson free to kill?
A GOOD SAMARITAN was stabbed to death by a mentally-ill woman just days after she had run in front of traffic on the M6 three times.
Sabina Eriksson is awaiting sentence after admitting killing Glenn Hollinshead, of Fenton, on the grounds of diminished responsibility.
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Sabina Eriksson
Eriksson – who had denied murder – knifed the 54-year-old four times at his Duke Street home before jumping from a bridge over the A50 at Heron Cross on May 20, 2008.
Mr Hollinshead had known Eriksson for less than a day after she had walked free from North Staffordshire Magistrates Court, in Fenton.
Eriksson had been in court charged with trespassing on the M6 and hitting a policewoman trying to arrest her near Keele Services on May 17, 2008.
Dramatic footage on The Sentinel's website shows Eriksson running in front of a Volkswagen Polo. After being knocked out for 15 minutes Eriksson then ran across the carriageway again.
Her twin sister Ursula had also run across the motorway and was struck by a lorry.
The sisters, who had no connection to North Staffordshire, had been travelling from Ireland to London when they got off their bus at Keele Services.
Now Mr Hollinshead's family is demanding to know why Eriksson was released by magistrates on May 19 without being fully assessed just days after she had run across the M6.
Brother Garry Hollinshead, aged 51, said: "Her mental disorder should have been picked up prior to her being let out into the community."
Nottingham Crown Court heard yesterday how Eriksson, of County Cork, was sentenced to one-day's custody and released.
The 41-year-old later met Mr Hollinshead in Christchurch Street, Fenton, and when she asked for directions to a local bed and breakfast or hotel he invited her to stay at his house.
The court heard Eriksson stayed the night and at 7.40pm on May 20 Mr Hollinshead asked neighbour, Frank Booth, for some tea bags before going inside.
But 74 seconds later Mr Hollinshead had been knifed and told Mr Booth: "She stabbed me".
After the stabbing Swedish national Eriksson ran from the house.
The mother-of-two was later pursued by paramedics before jumping 40-feet to the A50 carriageway.
Eriksson – who had no traces of alcohol or drugs – suffered serious injuries.
Christopher Hotten QC, prosecuting, said: "Any ordinary person would believe that her whole behaviour was bizarre."
The court heard two psychologists found Eriksson was suffering from a mental disorder at the time.
She has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced following a pre-sentence report.
Detective Superintendent Dave Garrett, from Staffordshire Police's major incident department, said: "The taking of Glenn's life was a violent and senseless act.
"We hope Eriksson admitting what she has done will help bring some sense of closure to Mr Hollinshead's family and friends."
More related news:
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A50 bridge jump woman appears in court on murder charge
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28 Comments
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by clytamnestra
Sunday, July 24 2011, 1:09AM
“i'm sure it sucks to be mentally ill.
but i believe it sucks even more to be randomly murdered.
.
this woman should be locked up for the rest of her life in order to protect society”
by Ramona Fransson, Sweden Tjörn
Friday, August 20 2010, 8:46AM
“If the judge had known that we in Sweden know now, maby they wouldn´t have realiesed Sabina as quickly as they did. I wonder why they didn´t made a larger investigation?
As far as I know the family Eriksson hade problems with Sabina and Ursula from start.
www.ramona-fransson.blogspot.com”
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Friday, September 04 2009, 9:36AM
“Saj - I think you're missing the point. She isn't "on" anything. She is mentally ill. She has a disease which has a chronic (as in long term) affect on her mind. She needs treatment.
Yes, punishment is appropriate for what she has done but lets not forget that there are 3 prongs to the criminal justice system's trident: 1. Punishment & deterrence, 2. protection of the public and 3. rehabilitation (should release be appropriate).”
by Saj, Burslem
Friday, September 04 2009, 6:21AM
“Hope they throw the key away and forget about her.
From the video you can tell she was definately on something as it took 6 people to keep her down. She and her sister should never have been out allowed out.
My deepest sympathies go out to all the Hollingheads family.
I hope you take action to highlight the failing in the criminal and police system as this women should never have been let out of custudy or should have been hospitalised for her own and publics safety, not let out to do what she did.
AS FOR THE VIDEO,SENTINAL SHOULD HAVE REMOVED IT ONCE IT WAS BROUGHT TO ITS ATTENTION OR IS THE MODERATOR CONDONING IT?”
by mark, wolstanton
Thursday, September 03 2009, 5:42PM
“condolences to the family. terrible for such an act of kindness to be rewarded with that response. Clearly a very ill individual.
Where is her sister now? Surely they are both pretty sick???”
by L.J., Hartshill
Thursday, September 03 2009, 4:33PM
“Thanks for the insight Rustinho. My condolences to Mr Hollinshead's family and friends.”
by Peter, Fenton
Thursday, September 03 2009, 3:20PM
“Would like to send my deepest sympathies and upmost regrets to Glenn's family. Glenn was a great man, friendly, honest and caring. It was a seneless crime. I wish her "condition" would have been spotted sooner, if not by the services at least by myself. For that I will forever carry regret in my heart.”
by Rustinho, Silverdale
Thursday, September 03 2009, 2:51PM
“It was a poor editorial decision to link to this video because of the comment at 6:01 of this video for the reasons already stated. It's rather stretching credibility to say it's on the Sentinel's website though. The You-Tube logo kinda gives away it's true location.
Mental health issues are rarely dealt with adequately in the criminal justice system but there are trials (if you'll pardon the obvious pun) of systems designed to rectify this that were covered earlier this year on the radio 4 programme State Of Mind. (Readers should be able to find this for download on the web if they search for it)
As a brief summary of the proposed changes, they involve a basic psychiatric assessment becoming a normal part of the processing of defendants prior to appearing in court.
These measures, if successfully implemented, will hopefully ensure that this sort of incident rarely, if ever, happens again.
My condolences to the family and friends of Mr Hollinshead.”
by Warren, Meir
Thursday, September 03 2009, 1:53PM
“I find the caption in the video uncalled for to. In fact I find the video itself uncalled for on this site. It as very little to do with what this idiot did after, only promting silly remarks from the likes of Alan. For the cold blooded murder of Mr. Hollinshead, Eriksson sould be locked up FOR LIFE, in the UK or Ierland or Sweden. I only wish one of these countrys had the death penalty. I don't realy care if the woman's bonkers or not, what she ended up doing is dreadfull. May I give my heartfelt sympathies to Mr. Hollinshead's family. Alan, before you start, I'am not also anon, I would have used a capitel A, but I with him/her in saying you are a prat.”
by anon, stoke-on-trent
Thursday, September 03 2009, 1:21PM
“I really feel for this man & his family. Its no surprise nothing was done about her, no one does their job right these days. When I was having problems with slashed tyres, missing post etc. the police sent social services around to shut me up.”