Magistrate orders 19-year-old to Mental Health Cen

An Arnos Vale man who is adamant that he is not mentally ill was yesterday sent to the Mental Health Centre for two weeks of observation, after he appeared in court, charged with stealing a can of Pringles and a tin of Redbull energy drink.{{more}}

Romarl John, who had to be repeatedly told to sit in his seat while in court, was not able to plea to stealing the items from Save-A-Lot supermarket on October 12, 2013, because Magistrate Rechanne Browne-Matthias said he did not appear fit to enter a plea.

Browne-Matthias said she wanted to send him to the institution to get a better understanding of what was going on with the 19-year-old.

While in the defendant’s dock, John kept staring at the ceiling and making repeated hand gestures.

After learning he was going to the institution, John looked at his mother, who was in court and said: “You have a certificate with this thing they talking about. I know me ain’t crazy!”(KW)