Mother charged with killing son‘ was insane’

A MOTHER charged with murdering her five-year-old son will not stand trial, after being deemed insane at the time of his death.

Schoolboy Scott Chiriseri was found injured at his home in Alva, Clackmannanshire, on December 5 and pronounced dead at the scene.

His mother, Farai Chirashi, also known as Chiriseri, was initially charged with murder in the wake of his death and held under mental health legislation.

The murder charge stated that Zimbabwean-born Chiriseri repeatedly struck the child on the head, neck and body with knives.

Prosecutors yesterday said she was “insane at the time of the incident” and could not be found to be responsible for her actions in law. She has been detained in a secure hospital.

The statement from the Crown Office followed the unanimous opinion of medical experts and a hearing before a judge yesterday.

A Crown Office spokesman said: “Following the death of Scott Chiriseri, and on the basis of the evidence available at the time, the Crown decided that his mother, Farai Chirashi or Chiriseri, should be charged with his murder.

“As the investigation into the case continued, medical opinion as to the accused’s mental state at the time of the offence was sought.

“The unanimous opinion of the expert reports available to the Crown concluded that the accused was insane at the time of the incident, and therefore could not, in law, be found to be responsible for her actions.

“We have therefore accepted that she was incapable by reason of mental illness of appreciating the nature or wrongfulness of her actions.

“The Crown is satisfied that the public will be protected by her detention in a secure hospital.”

Scott’s relatives are said to have been kept informed of the developments in the case.

At his funeral in January, mourners heard the youngster was “loved by all his friends”. About 200 people who gathered at a service inAlva were told about his love of motor racing and how he was an expert at the Mario Kart computer game.

Pictures: Central Scotland News/ Saltire News and Sport. Officers at the scene after the body of scott, left, was found.