Police charged Down's syndrome boy
with mental age of five
When two police officers came to interview Jamie Bauld, a
polite, friendly Down’s syndrome boy with a mental age of
about 5, he welcomed them with a big smile and a handshake. As
the officers read him his rights and charged him with assault
and racial abuse, he agreed with everything they said, then
thanked them for coming to see him.
Yesterday Jamie’s parents told The Times that they had been
through a seven-month ordeal with the Scottish legal system
over what they described as a minor fracas between two youngsters
with learning difficulties.
Jamie, 18, cannot tie his shoelaces or leave home on his own, nor
can he understand simple verbal concepts such as whether a door
is open or shut. But his parents said that he was charged with
attacking a fellow student, an Asian girl who also had special needs.
Jamie’s parents described as “utterly ridiculous” the actions of the
authorities in bringing adult charges against their son, who they
said was not only innocent, but unable to comprehend why he had
been in trouble.
They believe that he was a victim of the zero-tolerance policy
on racism under which police have to respond to any
complaint, however minor.
Experts in Down’s syndrome say that the case shows
insensitivity and is an example of bureaucracy gone mad.
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