What happened to Ian Ball? The man who tried to kidnap Princess Anne when she was young, Ian Ball, still lives in Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital.
What happened to Ian Ball?
In 1974, Princess Anne narrowly escaped an attempted kidnapping, which made her fear for her life. Ian Ball, who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia, has been charged with attempted murder and kidnapping for his role in the incident. He pleaded guilty and received a 41-year sentence at Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital in Berkshire. As of today, Ian Ball remains in custody under the Mental Health Act at Broadmoor.
During the inquest, Ian Ball admitted he targeted Princess Anne because he believed she would be an easy victim. Information about her movements was obtained by contacting the press office of Buckingham Palace. Ian admitted that he had been thinking about the plan for years, specifically mentioning that he had witnessed her riding with her husband.
Expressing his loneliness, Ian told police he had no friends and emphasized the meticulous thought and effort he put into the kidnapping attempt. He seemed to anticipate the skepticism of the police, asking him if they thought he was connected to the IRA or some other group. He believed that if he had accomplices, they would have helped him at the scene.
In 2002, it was reported that Ian went on hunger strike and called himself a “political prisoner”. But apart from this incident, he is described as a model patient.
Fortunately, all the people injured during the kidnapping attempt eventually recovered. Inspector Beaton received the George Cross from the Queen, while Constables Hills and Russell received the George Medal. Chauffeur Callender, McConnell and Edmonds were also awarded the Queen’s Medal for Bravery for their bravery during the incident.
Ian Ball now
Immediately after the attack, the police quickly arrested Ian Ball who arrived at the scene. For his actions, he was accused of attempted murder and kidnapping. Diagnosed with schizophrenia, Ian Ball was detained under the provisions of the Mental Health Act and transferred to Broadmoor, a high-security psychiatric hospital.
He is currently in custody at Broadmoor, where he has been staying for a long time. At the age of 75, Ian Ball is still there. In 2002, reports emerged from The Guardian stating that Ian Ball had launched a hunger strike to protest his ongoing detention. During that time, he allegedly called himself a political prisoner.
He claimed he would have been released many years earlier if his intended victim had not been a member of the royal family. It is worth noting that such claims and those of individuals detained under the Mental Health Act must be understood in the context of their mental health condition.
The hunger strike can be seen as a form of protest against his lengthy detention, indicating Ian Ball’s dissatisfaction with the legal framework governing his detention.
However, decisions on prolonged detention of individuals under the Mental Health Act are made based on an assessment of their mental health and associated risks to themselves and others. The goal of these decisions is to strike a balance between ensuring public safety and providing appropriate care and treatment for people with serious mental illness.
Is Ian Ball still alive?
Yes, Ian Ball is still alive. He is currently 79 years old and is still in Broadmoor Hospital. He was a model patient at the hospital and received several leaves of absence. However, he never left the hospital.
The Broadmoor is a renowned high-security psychiatric hospital that specializes in providing intensive care and treatment for people with severe mental health conditions. In the case of Ian Ball, his diagnosis of schizophrenia probably influenced the decision to place him in this institution. The Mental Health Act allows for the detention of people with mental illness to ensure appropriate care while taking public safety into account.
It is important to note that the length of Ian Ball’s sentence and his continued detention reflect an assessment of his mental health and associated risks. The primary goal is to provide necessary treatment and support while reducing potential harm to self or others. As a result, he remains at Broadmoor, where he can receive specialist care and ongoing psychiatric treatment tailored to his needs
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Categories: General
Source: HIS Education