Sentencing offenders with Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

Abstract

In the decision of Burnton J of the English High Court in Re Allitt [2007] EWHC 2845 the issue of the criminal responsibility of a woman diagnosed with Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy was scrutinised. The determination of whether the offender should receive a minimum sentence focused upon her personality dysfunction, rather than upon diagnosis of a syndrome that continues to be in a degree of flux. The decision is likely to encourage the adoption of an approach that concentrates less than previously upon assessment of whether the tentative diagnostic criteria for Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy or Factitious Disorder by Proxy are satisfied. © 2009 The Australian and New Zealand Association of Psyc..