Case of 'dangerous' patient before Court of Appeal

The Court of Appeal is hearing the case of whether a patient, assessed as dangerous, should be released into the community.

Patient "H" has a long criminal record, and several assessments have found him mentally disordered and dangerous to the public.

However last year a mental review tribunal found he was no longer mentally ill in terms of the Mental Health Act and should be released.

The Director of Mental Health, Janice Wilson, successfully applied to the High Court to block the patient's release from Auckland's Mason Clinic.

The patient and Waitemata Health are now appealing against the High Court ruling.