True-life incidents
If a sleepwalker commits an offence while sleep walking,he is not held responsible for the act, as he is protected under the defence of ‘Automatism’
While sleepwalking does not, by itself, pose a health concern, accidents may occur, as the subject performs without the control of the conscious mind. If an individual commits a criminal offense while sleepwalking, the defense of automatism may be available.
Automatism is an unconscious movement associated with sleep disorders like narcolepsy and is often used as an excuse to liability, which negates the existence of the "guilty act". This has often been found to be complex and sometimes controversial.
Case: 1
'Sleepwalker' accused of murder
A man accused of battering his father to death has told a court he was sleepwalking at the time.
Jules Lowe, 32, of Walkden, Greater Manchester, admits causing the injuries which killed his father, but says he cannot remember the event.
The body of 83-year-old Edward Lowe was found in the driveway of his home in Windmill Road, Walkden, on 30 October.
“I have always sleepwalked - it's never been a problem - this situation is just unbelievable” Jules Lowe.
Jules Lowe denies the murder, due to "automatism". The trail continues.(Source: The BBC)
Teen sleepwalks to the top of crane
A teenage sleepwalker was rescued after being found asleep on the arm of a 130ft crane, police have revealed.
Police and firefighters were called to a building site in southeast London, after a passer-by spotted the girl.
The unnamed 15-year-old had apparently left her home near the site, climbed the crane and walked across a narrow beam while remaining fast asleep.
She was eventually brought down by hydraulic lift and taken to hospital for checks but was found to have suffered no ill effects.
Expert Irshaad Ebrahim, of the London Sleep Centre, told the Times newspaper that he had treated people who had driven cars and ridden horses while asleep. He said one patient had even attempted to fly a helicopter.
(Source: The BBC)
