BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – SHELDON MALONEY, a former member of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force and known mentally challenged man who was detained at Her Majesty's Prison, was deemed fit to re-enter society and given very strict instructions to maintain his stability.
Maloney appeared before His Lordship Justice Errol Thomas on Thursday (Dec. 13) at the Basseterre High Court and, following a brief report by Consultant Psychiatrist Dr. Sharron Halliday, he was considered well enough to intermingle with society.
Maloney was charged with the July 31, 2009 indecent assault of a Lover's Lane resident.
At his trial during the January 2011 Criminal Assizes, it was observed by the prosecution that Maloney may have been mentally ill, to which he agreed, and Dr. Halliday was summoned to ascertain his condition.
The psychiatrist told the Court that Maloney had certain issues.
In terms of the incident for which he was before the Court, Dr. Halliday said Maloney may have committed the crime but could not remember, because on July 3 he was picked up by the police and taken to the hospital where he was given an injection.
The psychiatrist had said that Maloney claimed to have suffered a memory loss from July 3 to July 31, during which period he heard that he was doing a lot of strange things, including eating meat which he does not eat on a regular basis.
Maloney was then detained at Her Majesty's Prison for analysis and it was recommended that he undergo counselling.
At his status hearing Thursday, Dr. Halliday stated in her report that Maloney was suffering from substance induced mental health disorder as early as 1999 and had had his first treatment in July 2001.
She said the 37-year-old have had 13 admittance to the Psychiatric Ward of the JNF Hospital and was "a difficult patient to mind", as he did not believe he was ill.
She also said that he escaped from the Ward on a number of occasions, often failed to turn up for follow-up treatment and repeatedly refused to take his medication.
Dr. Halliday also said that since being detained for analysis, Maloney has been much better, more cooperative and stable.
She however recommended that if released from prison, random drug testing should be administered because substance abuse played a big part in his illness.
She also recommended that he have regular follow-up visits to ensure he is taking his medication.
"His treatment should be mandatory so as to protect him," she said.
Justice Thomas, in turn, ordered that Maloney be released on certain conditions.
Maloney was given a curfew from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. to which he must abide unless his job requires his presence beyond the hours stipulated.
He was also ordered not to purchase or sell drugs and must seek employment.
Maloney was further ordered to appear at the JNF Hospital for psychiatric treatment as recommended by Dr. Halliday - once per week for two months, twice per week for four months and once per month for 18 months.
He was also ordered to undergo counselling which would be supervised by Probation Officer Gerald Connor.
Connor would also be visiting Maloney once per week and escort him for his treatments, as well as escorting him to the JNF Hospital once per month for drug testing.
If Maloney breaches his conditions he would be taken back to the Basseterre High Court and dealt with accordingly.
Justice Thomas told Maloney to keep the peace and "maintain peace and order for two years", which started from Thursday.
"Do what the court has ordered and you would be in good hands," Justice Thomas said.
