WARNING signs that an Abergavenny woman was suffering from schizophrenia went undiagnosed until it was too late, a court was told last week.

At Swansea Crown Court Jade Louise Ruck, formerly of St David's Road, denied murder the murder of her 11 month old daughter, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

The court heard that Ruck had stabbed her 11-month old baby daughter Harley to death on November 20 last year in a 'frenzied attack' while suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and was also told that signs of strangulation had been found on the baby's body during a post mortem examination.

It was also revealed that Ruck had made numerous phone calls to friends and family in the days leading up to the incident and on the night itself.

The prosecutor James Wilson said that Ruck's grandmother, Mary Ruck said that her granddaughter seemed agitated when she rang to say, "I love you, I'm frightened."

Ruck's father described his daughter's attitude as "all over the place," and her mother said that, "She was strange, it was as if I was talking to a young girl again'."

The court was told that Ruck had met the father of her 11 month old daughter, Dorian Twist at Woodstock House, a homeless shelter in Abergavenny.

They had started a relationship but this had ended before Harley was born and Mr Twist, who had left the home they shared stated that Ruck was having difficulties coming to terms with the situation.

The prosecutor said that Mr Twist had received a call from Ruck a day or so before the incident which he had described as a weird conversation, 'even more than normal' he added.

"She was shouting that she was still in love with him and she needed him to come and see her".

Dr Tegwyn Williams, a consultant at Bridgend's Caswell Clinic said that he had listened to family and friends talking about Ruck, and said that it was obvious that she was suffering from  schizophrenia, but this hadn't been diagnosed before the incident and until she had been referred to the Caswell Clinic and charged with murder.

Dr Williams added: "The family members' descriptions of Ruck are wholly consistent with somebody suffering from schizophrenia and whilst she is responding to treatment the chronic nature of her condition means there will be ongoing problems and relapses in the future."

Ruck aged 23, sat in the dock flanked by three people from the clinic and wore a tailored black jacket.

She showed no emotion as the case against her unfolded.

Mr Wilson said that the tragic circumstances of November 20 began when police originally received a telephone call from Harley's other grandmother Janet Hyde, who had expressed concerns about Ruck's state of mind.

Mrs Hyde said Ruck had sounded 'sparked out' adding: "She said she felt like dying, everything was going dark and she was hot."

CONTINUED FROM FRONT

Two police officers then visited Ruck at 2am and observed that she was in an agitated state. She told officers that she had smoked a joint of cannabis, but the officers could not find any evidence of this.

When Ruck appeared to calm down the officers left and returned to the station to file a social services report on Ruck.

According to the prosecution just an hour later at 3.34 Ruck herself called the emergency services telling the operator she had just stabbed her baby.

Mr Wilson said Ruck was arrested when the officers arrived at the scene and had observed that Ruck's behaviour had been "clearly bizarre".

He added that during her transportation to the police station officers heard Ruck saying 'I'm free now, I'm alright as long as I'm free'."

Peter Murphy QC defending, said that two psychiatric reports showed that Ruck had been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia for the past several years, and this was characterised by delusions and hallucinations she was experiencing.

He added: "It would be in Jade's best interests to be treated in hospital. The way she spoke before and after the attack was characteristic of someone who is seriously mentally unwell."

Ruck denied the murder charge but pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Judge Mr Justice Lloyd Jones ordered Ruck to be detained indefinitely at Bridgend's Caswell Clinic under the terms of Mental Health Act and said: "This case has been a great tragedy for everybody concerned - in particular those who tried to support and help you.

'Your understanding, perception and ability to make judgements were affected by your mental state.

'I only hope that the end of this case brings some kind of closure to you."

Gwent Police are now conducting an internal investigation having already been scrutinised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission following Harley's death.

Gwent Police said after the sentencing, "We accept the findings of the court today.

"The death of Harley Ruck was a tragedy that affected the whole community.

"Following the decision of the court Harley's mother will now get the treatment she needs.

"The investigation team would like to thank Harley's extended family for their help and co-operation throughout the investigation process.

"They have been given support throughout the investigation by our specially trained family liaison officers."

A spokesman for Monmouthshire Social Services said: "Harley's extended family are uppermost in our thoughts at this time and we are awaiting the outcome of a serious case review into the matter, which should be published in September."

Harley's family described her death as 'an horrific tragedy', and said in a statement released last November that read, "Harley was our beautiful, happy, loving little daughter, granddaughter, great granddaughter, niece and cousin.

"She was loved dearly and will be sadly missed by all around her, especially by her lost, heartbroken mum.'"