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20
Oct 2021
Harrogate murder accused had 'impaired judgement', court told
A man accused of murder on Harrogate’s Mayfield Grove had “impaired judgement” before killing his victim, a court heard.
Daniel Ainsley, 24, of no fixed address, is on trial charged with murdering 48-year-old Mark Wolsey in his bedsit on March 5.
He denies murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to an “abnormality of mental functioning”.
John Harrison QC, for the defence, called Dr Harry Wood, a clinical psychologist, to give evidence to Leeds Crown Court this morning.
Dr Wood told the court that after interviewing Mr Ainsley he concluded that the defendant had a personality disorder that stemmed from “his traumatic upbringing”.
He also told the court that his opinion was that Mr Ainsley interpretation of the events inside Mr Wolsey’s flat before the alleged murder were “directly influenced by his personality”.
Dr Wood said:
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Dr Wood said that if Mr Ainsley’s account were to be accepted then his judgement “would be impaired as a result of a personality disorder”.
When questioned by prosecutor, Mark McKone QC, Dr Wood said he accepted that Mr Ainsley’s actions in the lead up to the alleged murder showed he was "in control".
But, he told the court that the defendant's judgement when arriving at those decisions was impaired.
Dr Wood said:
He told the court that the defendant’s view of a “proportionate response” was “distorted”.
The prosecution argued that Mr Ainsley “knew what he was doing was wrong” and was capable of making rational decisions.
The trial continues.
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