BLACKHEATH: Doctor says murder accused not 'abnormal of mind' (From News Shopper)

BLACKHEATH: Doctor says murder accused not 'abnormal of mind'

1:09pm Monday 25th January 2010 in

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A DOCTOR has told the Edward Highwood murder trial that Polish defendant Marcin Orlowski has no “abnormality of the mind”.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr Andrew Johns spoke at the Old Bailey this morning about his December consultation with the homeless 20-year-old Pole.

Orlowski denies murdering 79-year-old Mr Highwood at the pernsioner's home in Hollymount Close, Blackheath in July last year, and claims his responsibility for the killing was “substantially impaired” by his chronic alcoholism.

Dr Johns said: “From the age of 15 he (Orlowski) was sniffing petrol. But this was far less relevant than his misuse of alcohol.

“He started drinking at primary school. He was always turning up late and was asked to leave school in March 2007.

“He was drinking a range of spirits.”

The doctor added: “He showed signs of alcohol dependence syndrome and I conclude this is severe.

“But I also conclude that he doesn't meet the criteria for abnormality of the mind.

“Even assuming he did show an abnormality of mind, I don't conclude that his responsibility was substantially diminished.”

On Friday the court heard from defence witness and consultant psychiatrist, Dr Bhaskar Punukollu.

He told jurors that Orlowski's drinking on the day of the killing would have had a large effect on his mind and ability to control his actions.

But Dr Johns today refuted these claims, arguing: “With respect to Dr Bhaskar, I think this is fundamentally wrong.

"The more you accept that someone is alcohol dependent then I say that alcohol has less of an effect rather than more.”

Orlowski, who moved to England in October 2008, claims he was provoked into hitting Mr Highwood with a glass vase because of the pensioner's unwanted sexual advances.

The trial continues.