— The Court of Appeal found that at the time of his conviction for arson the appellant had been unfit to stand trial, and also that the evidence he had done the act was overwhelming. The three options in those circumstances are hospital order (with or without restrictions), supervision order, or absolute discharge (in its criminal law meaning). A hospital order was not an option because the medical professionals did not support it. Neither was a supervision order, because neither the probation service nor the relevant local authority was willing to provide a supervising officer. The court therefore quashed the prison sentence (extended sentence of 9 years including a custodial term of 7 years) and, having expressed its concerns, granted an absolute discharge.
Full details available at: https://www.mentalhealthlaw.co.uk/R_v_Wood_(2026)_EWCA_Crim_480?id=250426-1456