Family's sackings call over death

Killer's care panned

The family of a man stabbed to death by a paranoid schizophrenic have said they want the officials responsible for his health care sacked.

They spoke after a report condemning the treatment of John Barrett, who went on to kill Denis Finnegan.

The victim's sister, Tracy Kelly, 35, from Doncaster, South Yorkshire, said: "I want people to lose their jobs.

"In particular, I want Nigel Fisher [former chief of St George's Mental Health Trust] to be brought to task."

They said they were are angry that Dr Fisher, chief executive of the trust at the time of Mr Finnegan's death, did not attend a press conference into the report's findings.

They think they are untouchable - but we'll make sure they won't be

Tracy Kelly

'Widespread flaws' exposed

Ms Kelly added: "He should be here. It is disgusting that he is not. Where is he now? Sitting pretty in his new job."

She also criticised Dr Gill Mezey, who had granted Barrett "ground leave" from the hospital.

Barrett never returned and the next day he repeatedly stabbed Mr Finnegan as he cycled through Richmond Park in south-west London in September 2004.

"They think they are untouchable - but we'll make sure they won't be," Ms Kelly said.

Critical and honest

"To lose someone you love in such a way is terrible. To know it is completely preventable, that is just unacceptable.

"It will be with us forever and I will not rest, none of us will rest until we are completely satisfied with the end result."

Reacting to Thursday's publication she said: "We are really pleased with the report, we thought it was going to be a whitewash, a cover up.

"But it is really critical and it is really honest. For us this is not the end, it is just the beginning, unfortunately."

Dr Fisher now works as an NHS advisor on foundation trust implementation in the Department of Health. He was not immediately available to respond to the family's criticisms.