Woman given secure psychiatric hospital order after stabbing two boys at Lincolnshire flat

Police officers found the children with stab wounds after armed officers were called to the village of Friskney in November 2022.

Ann Marie McEvoy, 43, who was holding a large knife, was tasered and arrested.

McEvoy, formerly of Church Walk, Colchester, pleaded guilty to both attempted murder charges during a hearing in July.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned sentence for updated medical and psychiatric reports after accepting McEvoy was suffering from significant mental health problems at the time of the offences.

A sentence hearing at Lincoln Crown Court heard evidence from consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Tim Rogers who concluded the offences would not have happened if McEvoy was mentally well.

Dr Rogers said he believed McEvoy suffered from a schizoaffective disorder and it was clear she needed mental health treatment, potentially for the whole of her life.

Passing sentence Judge Hirst said he was satisfied the best way to protect the public was to make McEvoy the subject of a hospital order with a Section 41 restriction.

The hospital order means, McEvoy, who watched the hearing via a video-link from the secure psychiatric hospital where she is being treated, can not be released until she is deemed fit by doctors and the Secretary of State.

"Your need for treatment is likely to be significantly longer than a prison sentence," Judge Hirst told McEvoy.

"It is necessary to protect the public and it is not possible to say for how long that will be."

McEvoy was previously deemed unfit to stand trial and made the subject of a hospital order in September 2024 after a jury found she was responsible for stabbing the two boys.

The Crown Prosecution Service decided to resume criminal proceedings against McEvoy in March this year after her condition improved in hospital and she was deemed fit enough to enter her pleas.

Defence barrister Mark Knowles told the court McEvoy was willing to enter her guilty pleas.

The court was told how officers were sent to a flat in Friskney on the afternoon of November 29, 2022.

Leanne Summers, prosecuting, said Essex officers had previously visited McEvoy's home in Colchester following a report of concerning messages and found she was not there.

The court heard McEvoy was not co-operative, brandished a kitchen knife and was Tasered by officers.

The two boys, who can not be named, had both suffered injuries which required hospital treatment.

One of the boys had suffered a number of puncture wounds across his chest and a large wound to the centre of his back. The other boy suffered an injury to his neck which was located under his ear and a deep injury to his left arm.

Following the incident both boys were interviewed by specially trained police officers.

One of the boys described how McEvoy inflicted the injuries just before police entered the property.

McEvoy was arrested at the scene but declined to give an explanation during her police interview.

Impact statements from the two boys were read out in court. One of the boys described how he suffered a punctured lung and was rushed to hospital for surgery on his neck.

The other boy said he had only just started feeling better about himself.

Judge Hirst also made a restraining order which prevents McEvoy having any contact with the children.

The officer in charge of this case, Detective Constable Emma Dodsworth of Skegness CID, commented: "This has been a long and arduous case, involving complex technical considerations and a lengthy judicial process.

“While today's outcome brings legal proceedings to a close, it cannot undo the lasting impact this incident has had on the lives of the two children at the centre of this investigation and our thoughts remain with them and their loved ones as they continue to rebuild their lives. This hospital order provides the most appropriate level of protection for the public while ensuring that the defendant receives the medical treatment and intervention she requires.

“Today's outcome represents an important step in ensuring the necessary safeguards and support remain in place for both the defendant and those impacted by this horrifying incident. Above all, it stands as a testament to the resilience of two young victims whose welfare and best interests have remained at the forefront of every stage of these proceedings.”