Suspect left mental health unit before stabbing
A woman accused of stabbing a grandmother to death in south east London had unexpectedly left an assessment suite being prepared for her at a mental health unit, a hospital trust has said.
Unemployed Nicola Edgington, 31, is charged with killing law firm accounts manager Sally Hodkin, 58, in a busy shopping street in Bexleyheath yesterday.
Edgington, of Ambedkar House, Flavell Mews, Greenwich, south east London, is also charged with the attempted murder of 23-year-old Kerry Clark, who was attacked with a butcher’s knife as she waited at a bus stop.
Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust, which provides mental health services in a number of south east London boroughs, said Edgington attended A&E at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich yesterday at around 5am seeking help.
She was transferred to its mental health assessment unit at Oxleas House.
‘Full and thorough investigation’
The trust said in a statement: “Nicola Edgington has been receiving regular treatment from the trust since 2006.
“At Oxleas House she was promptly assessed. A bed was available and medication was being prepared before admitting her to a ward on a voluntary basis.
“At 7am she unexpectedly left the assessment suite. Staff saw her leave and pursued her but were unsuccessful.
“Up to this point she had not given any indication she intended to leave and had agreed to admission.
“We will carry out a full and thorough investigation. The trust is shocked and saddened by this tragic incident and would like to pass on our sympathies to family members.”
Today, a psychiatrist said Edgington was unfit to be taken into court to face charges.
‘Extreme mental health problems’
Addressing Greenwich Magistrates Court, Dr Amit Chatterjee said: “I had the opportunity to meet her this morning. She does have extreme mental health problems.
“I don’t think she is fit to attend court in her mental state.”
A Serco security guard summoned to describe Edgington’s condition said the woman was “agitated”.
Lisa Moriarty told the court: “At the moment she is in a cell with three officers but I am a bit reluctant to bring her up with everyone around.”
Mrs Hodkin is understood to have been on her way to work at law firm Cunningham Blake when she was apparently stabbed in the neck.
She is believed to have lived locally and was pronounced dead at 8.41am.
Edgington, who was represented by her solicitor, Callum Haddow, was told her case will be heard next at the Old Bailey on Thursday when a bail application is due to take place.
A plea and case management hearing was scheduled for 17 January.