A NORTH-EAST coroner is writing to the Health Secretary over his concerns after a twoyear- old boy was strangled by his psychotic mother.

Melanie Ruddell, 40, killed Christy at her brother’s home in West Rainton, near Durham City, in August 2010, hours after friends and family had begged the authorities to admit her to hospital when she suffered a mental breakdown.

Instead, she was allowed to discharge herself. Shortly after she suffered a psychotic breakdown and strangled the toddler.

She then drove to Peterlee police station and walked in clutching the youngster’s body.

Coroner Derek Winter said he was so concerned by the circumstances of Christy’s death that he would write to Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.

Mrs Ruddell had been hallucinating in the days prior to killing her son.

Forensic consultant psychiatrist Dr Aideen O’Halloran told the inquest yesterday that accident and emergency specialist Dr Clement Agbatar, who had seen Mrs Ruddell when she arrived at the University Hospital of Hartlepool should not have allowed her to discharge herself.

She said that Dr Agbatar, who was not a mental health specialist, had all but diagnosed symptoms of acute psychosis and should have carried out a full mental health assessment.

Mrs Ruddell had also been seen numerous times by police and paramedics and a mental health crisis team had been telephoned on her admittance to hospital.

In summing up, Mr Winters said: “Action should be taken to prevent the occurrence or continuation of such circumstances or to eliminate or reduce the risk of death created by such circumstances.

Lessons must be learnt.”

Ruling that Christy had been killed unlawfully, Mr Winter said he would recommend improving mental health awareness training.

He also said information family and friends provided must not be underestimated.

Mrs Ruddell’s sister Julie Stout said: “We can’t bring Christy back and Melanie’s pain is beyond what anyone could ever imagine. So, if something can come from it, I guess that’s all we can hope for.”

Mrs Ruddell, of Dene View, Castle Eden, watched proceedings via video link from a hospital where she is being detained under the Mental Health Act after admitting manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Last night, the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust said lessons had been learned.