Omajuwa Scarlett, aged 31, of Perry Barr, has admitted killing 76-year-old Alvin Callum in an attack near Perry Barr train station. The plea of manslaughter by diminished responsibility was entered at Birmingham Crown Court on Tuesday, September 8, after psychiatrists deemed him finally fit to plead.
Mr Callum died after being attacked on Thursday, October 23 last year. Scarlett was arrested the following day and subsequently charged with murder. He had previously been deemed unfit to plead and stand trial due to a history of mental health illness.
Prosecution accepts plea after psychiatric evidence
Edward Brown KC, prosecuting, told the court that the case had been considered at the highest level by prosecuting authorities. He said: "As the court would expect the seriousness of such a case is such that it has led to a very careful examination of the present evidential picture from the prosecuting authorities, it has been considered at the highest level."
Brown continued: "In light of unanimous and clear psychiatric evidence and having discussed the case in detail with the family of the deceased, Mr Callum, the decision has been taken to accept the plea of guilty by way of diminished responsibility."
The prosecutor added: "From the moment the defendant was detained by the police soon after the attack, through into the weeks and months that followed, the evidence demonstrates the defendant was very unwell at the time."
Defendant remains in secure mental health facility
Two expert psychiatrists considered Scarlett wasn't fit to provide instructions and stand trial, connected with a history of some mental health illness in the past. Brown said: "The prosecution accordingly have made the decision the plea that has been entered is acceptable. In reality it is the only way forward for such a case."
Scarlett remains remanded at Birmingham's Tamarind Centre, a secure mental health facility. Brown stated that his treatment had progressed since his arrest.
Sentencing adjourned until January
Judge Andrew Smith KC adjourned sentencing until January 8. The case will return to Birmingham Crown Court for the sentencing hearing, where the court will consider the psychiatric evidence and the circumstances of the offence before determining the appropriate disposal.
