Motherhood And Mental Illness – The Modern ‘Get Out Of Jail Free’ Card

Police who arrested Bernard, from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, discovered she had committed 51 previous offences including violence.

She had previously been made subject of two Asbos for threatening behaviour offences and was earlier given a non custodial sentence for another bottle attack.

She suffers from schizophrenia and claims she heard voices in her head - yet on the night of the attack she had been drinking heavily, worsening her condition.

Incredibly enough, she got off. You won’t believe why…

At Bolton Crown Court, Bernard wept as she was given a 12 month jail term suspended for 18 months.

Judge Charles Bloom QC said the care she showed to her three children aged six, three and two saved her from prison.

*speechless*

The latest incident occurred in April last year after the two victims went to Bo Jangles nightclub with a group of friends.

Prosecuting Miss Patel Hanifa said Bernard believed the men were mocking her and picked up the bottle. She then confronted the pair on the dancefloor, ran towards Mr Wilson and hit him over the head. The bottle smashed and Mr Wilson fell to the floor after being knocked unconscious.

Bernard then brandished the broken neck of the bottle and 'thrashed' it about causing Mr Emery to be stabbed in the bicep as he tried to stop the attack. The 3am assault lasted for around five to six seconds and was captured on CCTV.

Mr Emery needed hospital treatment for the deep cut to his arm and Bernard had to be pulled away by security.

Mother of the Year!

Bernard who suffers from hallucinations was said to have fallen ill again with depression after the birth of her third child, and was said to be at a higher risk of anti-social behaviour when combined with her alcohol addiction.

But she’s very sorry now. So that’s OK, isn’t it?

Defence counsel Mr Mark Friend said: 'She is thoroughly ashamed and remorseful and terribly sorry for what occurred to both the complainants.

'She has little recollection of the event and it is one which she prefers to put to the back of her mind,

This offence occurred in April 2011 and from then until July this year she has ceased alcohol consumption and recognises the role it played.'

I expect the victims would like to put it to the back of their minds too, but the scars will probably prevent that…

Judge Bloom told her: …'You have three children of which you are no doubt the primary carer. You are a dedicated mother despite [the fact that] you have taken alcohol to the excess.

'You provide a very high standard of care for your children and there will be huge damage which will be caused to your children by having their mother taken away from them.

'You are extremely fortunate you have avoided prison because of the exceptional circumstances of your mental health disorder and the care of your three children.'

Is it just me, or should those two things described as ‘exceptional circumstances’ never, ever go together? 

And yet, it seems they go together far, far too often to be truly exceptional…