The 17-year-old who stabbed two people in Västerås can be locked up longer than usual

9/15/2022, 6:03:26 PM

The 17-year-old who is accused of two cases of attempted murder in Västerås can be sentenced to forensic psychiatric care with a special discharge examination. It is extremely unusual for such young people to receive that penalty, according to Martin Riegnell, senior physician in forensic psychiatry.

The 17-year-old who is suspected of having attacked two men with a knife in Västerås can be sentenced to forensic psychiatric care with a special discharge examination.

It is a very unusual punishment for such a young person.

He was 16 years old at the time of the crime.

- Of those who have been recommended that penalty, about one person a year is under the age of 18, and it should be a marginal part of these who are as young as 16, says Martin Riegnelll, senior physician in forensic psychiatry.

For the 16-year-old, the penalty may mean that he will be locked up for longer than would have been the case if he had been sentenced to a regular lock-up sentence.

In this case, the forensic psychiatric care can only be changed or terminated by the Administrative Court.

They make their first assessment after 4 months, and then once every six months.

But if the condition does not improve, despite treatment, the sentence can in principle be life.

- But it is unusual for it to be this long.

The normal length of the penalty is 6 years, says Martin Riegnell.

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