A man who killed his father an hour after absconding from a psychiatric ward has read out poetry at an inquest into the death, paying tribute and expressing regret for what he did.
In a highly unusual move, Dan Harrison appeared via video link from the unit where he is being treated at the inquest into the death of his father, Kim Harrison, a retired chest specialist.
Dan Harrison read out one poem, called Father’s Day, which contained the line “I wish you were here” and signed off: “Your ever loving son, Dan.” After reading out a second poem, called What is Care?, he said he knew his father would be “so relieved” to see the progress he was making.
Harrison, 38, punched, kicked and stamped on his 68-year-old father at his home in Clydach, Swansea, after becoming increasingly paranoid and believing that his mother, Jane Harrison, was in danger from her husband.
Last year a judge imposed hospital orders under the Mental Health Act, meaning Harrison would be detained indefinitely in a secure unit, after he admitted manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. The judge heard psychiatrists had concluded he had had paranoid schizophrenia for years and had “persecutory delusional beliefs”.
At the start of the inquest in Swansea, Kim Harrison’s widow, Jane Harrison, attended alongside three of her sons while Dan Harrison appeared via video link with a seascape background behind him.
She told the court the rest of the family were “acutely aware of how difficult” the inquest would be for Dan. She said: “It is a testament to his recovery, his strength and his deep love for Kim that he is here with us. He has come so far … He has made a remarkable recovery, though this is a long journey with the heaviest of burdens to bear. We shall be holding him close today and over the next few weeks.” She added: “Dad would be so proud of you, Dan, we love you very much.”
In his Father’s Day poem, Dan Harrison said: “Through the tragic loss we have all endured you have made/The biggest sacrifice one can make/To heal the bones that I once had unknowingly broken/And did not know how to mend.”
Kim Harrison died on 9 April 2022 after sustaining injuries to his head, neck and body the previous month. In a statement issued before the start of the inquest his family’s legal team, Bindmans LLP, said: “Over the two years prior to Kim’s death, he and his wife, Jane, had significant contact with Swansea Bay mental health services.
“They repeatedly raised concerns about their son’s presentation, his deteriorating mental health, the risks that he posed to himself and others, and sought advice and assistance for him. The family feels that their concerns and requests for assistance were not effectively addressed.”
Jane Harrison told the inquest that her son began having psychotic symptoms in 2007, including hearing voices and becoming paranoid about technology. He became stable when he was prescribed anti-psychotic medication but worsened again when he stopped taking it.
She and his father tried to get him help but were later told by mental health professionals his behaviour was a “lifestyle choice” rather than an illness and said they could not discuss him with them because of patient confidentiality.
He started to threaten his family, telling his mother and father they were “evil” and they felt unsafe. “We felt completely powerless,” Jane Harrison said.
Last year Swansea crown court heard Dan Harrison was detained at Neath Port Talbot hospital 10 days before the assault because of “severe” aggression towards his parents. His mental health had been deteriorating since 2018 and he had stopped taking his medication.
He fled the ward on the afternoon of 12 March 2022 when a nurse opened a secure door. He barged past, ran from the hospital and took a taxi to Clydach before walking to his parents’ home and carrying out the fatal attack.
The inquest continues.
