Swansea: Mum 'felt unsafe' before son killed his father

The mother of a man who killed his father says she "felt unsafe" in the months leading up to the attack.

Dr Kim Harrison was punched, kicked and stamped on by Daniel Harrison, who had escaped from a mental health unit. 

The sustained attack took place at the family's home in Clydach, Swansea in March 2022.

Daniel Harrison admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility and was detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

His mother Jane Harrison said she had repeatedly reported her son's behaviour to mental health services and the police.

Harrison appeared via video link at the coroner's court in the Swansea Guildhall and read two poems he had written in his father's memory.

One was called "Wish you were here" which he said he wrote for Father's Day.

Harrison said: "I wish you were here on this special day to give you a hug, I wish were here by my side and here to guide me."

Harrison ended by saying: "I know my dad would be supportive and pleased with the progress I am making." 

The court also heard from other members of Dr Harrison's family, his three sons, describing him as "a loving, caring man with a love for cooking, travelling and music". 

Jane Harrison, also a retired doctor, said: "Dad would be so proud of you and your progress - he loved you very much," adding that her son had a long history of mental health issues.

By March 2020 he had begun to think "his computers were bugged and he was being spied on - he also believed people could hear his thoughts."

The court heard how Daniel Harrison had been sleeping rough and not in contact with his family for many months before coming home before Christmas in 2021, after which time his behaviour became more aggressive.

Eventually detained at Neath Port Talbot hospital he fled the ward after barging past a nurse who'd opened a secure door using a swipe card.

He then made his way to his parents' house where he attacked his father.

Dr Harrison died from his injuries 28 days later.

Jane Harrison told the court, "It has taken the death of my husband for my son to have the appropriate care.

"He is now finally well looked after, but he was clearly a danger to himself and others and nothing was done."

The first witness to give evidence at the inquest was Daniel Harrison's GP, Dr Tristham from the Cwmtawe medical group.

He said that Daniel first had a schizophrenic episode in 2007 and was put on anti-psychosis medication.

The court heard of an episode from March 2021 when Daniel Harrison spoke to Dr Tristham after being off medication for 18 months.

Dr Tristham told the court: "He was shouting the practice had poisoned him with medication.

"I spoke to his mother and said I'd never heard him like this before and that it was out of character - after which I made a referral to a psychiatrist."

Asked by Bridget Dolan, representing Dr Jane Harrison, if the mental health team treating Harrison had "missed what was going on with him on three occasions", Dr Tristham replied: "Yes, that's correct."

He said that no one from Swansea Bay University health board had come to him for his opinion on the case, adding that they seemed to think Harrison was "not psychotic, but had made a lifestyle choice".

The inquest continues.

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