NHS orders probe into case of man charged with supermarket murder bid

The review by the Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust was announced today (Monday, September 29) by its chief executive Lisa Rodrigues, as Bognor man Samuel Reid-Wentworth was appearing in court at Lewes charged with the attempted murder of Lucy Yates.

Lucy was stabbed up to 17 times in the Somerfield supermarket in Anchor Springs in Littlehampton on Tuesday, September 16.

Ms Rodrigues said in a statement today: "Samuel Reid-Wentworth appeared today at Lewes Crown Court charged with attempted murder.

"He is known to our services and we are co-operating fully with Sussex Police in their investigation.

"The very serious assault that took place on a member of the public in Littlehampton on September 16, 2008 was absolutely shocking.

"Sussex Partnership provides specialist mental health services to 1.5 million people across Sussex.

"Such incidents are fortunately extremely rare, but we know they will happen very occasionally. We take them very, very seriously.

"I have set up a formal review of what happened preceding the incident, which will report to our trust board regardless of the eventual outcome of the court case.

"The review will look into whether what happened was in any way predictable, and if there are any changes we need to make in the way we deliver services to further protect the public.

"Our thoughts and good wishes are with the victim and her family."

Court case

Samuel Reid-Wentworth, 22, of Longford Road in Bognor Regis, appeared at Lewes Crown Court this morning (Monday, September 29) charged with attempted murder.

Dressed in red tracksuit bottoms and top, he spoke only to confirm his name during the 10-minute preliminary hearing.

Judge Richard Brown remanded him in custody until December 5 when he is due to face a plea and case management hearing.