A mental health organisation in the northeast of England has been fined after a service user attacked and killed a trainee support worker.

Mental Health Matters provides support and housing services to people who suffer from mental health problems.

In May 2006, 22-year-old support worker Ashleigh Ewing was visiting the home of mental health patient and service user Ronald Dixon in Heaton, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Mr Dixon attacked and stabbed her to death during the visit.

Ms Ewing was completing a six-month probationary period with the charity when she was attacked on the final day of her probation.

On Monday (01/02/10) at Newcastle Crown Court, Mental Health Matters pleaded guilty to a breach of Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974, for failing to do all that was reasonably practicable to ensure Ms Ewing’s safety. The charity was fined £30,000 with £20,000 costs.

The court was told that Ronald Dixon’s mental health was known to be deteriorating – and Mental Health Matters failed to respond to a number of warning signs.

The court also heard that the charity failed to afford Ms Ewing the level of protection that the nature of her job warranted.

After the hearing, the Health and Safety Executive’s Head of Operations, Pam Waldron, said:

‘This is an unusual case which shows the need for employers to assess risks to employees who visit individuals in their homes – and for arrangements to be reviewed when changes occur.

‘We believe that if Mental Health Matters had carried out a risk assessment, it would have resulted in the visiting arrangements being reviewed.’

In October 2007, Ronald Dixon pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Ashleigh Ewing on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The court ordered him to be detained indefinitely at Rampton Secure Hospital.

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