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Trish was deemed to be fit to attend court and pleaded guilty to drugging Gina, using threatening behaviour and endangering her life through reckless conduct. However, she was found to be mentally traumatised due to incidents in her childhood home, and the sustained bullying at school. Gina had also issued a statement admitting her part in historical incidents at Stourford School, and this was accepted by the judge. The authorities decided there was no concrete evidence that she had wanted to murder Gina, merely that she had wanted to leave her with an everlasting feeling of guilt at being the cause of someone’s suicide.
‘Patricia Joanne Webster, you have pleaded guilty to the charges,’ said Judge Shaw. ‘Your victim sustained life-changing injuries and was extremely lucky not to lose her life. The fact that you pleaded guilty and fully recognise the seriousness of your crimes is in your favour. You have also spent three months on remand, and that will also be taken into account. I have also considered the mental health reports which demonstrate that your desire for retribution stemmed from a traumatised childhood and more recently, a breakdown in your mental health. Despite this, it is my duty to point out that whatever you were hoping to achieve, this is not a form of justice we can condone in any way.’
‘The mental health reports I have studied from your time at HMP Bronzefield show that you have made good progress and have been willing to accept help. Therefore, you are not judged to be a danger to society. Despite this, there are concerns that you may attempt to take your life again and it is the duty of the authorities to provide a safe environment for you.’
‘I am going to issue a sentence of eighteen months in prison, suspended for two years. The mental health assessments state that you should receive help outside the confines of prison, in an appropriate environment, therefore, a place has been secured for you at St Martin’s Hospital, near Canterbury. Ultimately, it is hoped that you will be able to return to your own home, and receive support from a Community Mental Health Team.’
Trish smiled at her husband and also at Beth and Derek who were in the court for the sentencing. Thus, she left the court to be taken to her new abode on the outskirts of Canterbury. Tom was so relieved that Trish would be out of prison and closer to home. Whilst she was an inpatient, he planned to return to work, and the surgery had agreed that he could reduce his hours to spend time supporting his wife.
Their relationship had changed immeasurably, and though it could never return to exactly how it had been before, Tom still had faith in their future together. Trish had offered him the chance to make a fresh start, but he didn’t want to abandon her, they had been through too much together to simply throw it all away. He himself was having counselling to cope with the dreadful events as he was consumed with guilt that he had not shown more interest in his wife’s mental well-being.
**
The police informed Gina about the outcome of Trish’s trial and within a few hours, the report appeared on the local news websites. She still felt that Will believed Trish should receive a harsher sentence, but Gina truly believed that she had suffered enough, and it was society’s responsibility to give her the mental health support she needed. Gina sincerely hoped that in the future, Trish could fulfil her potential without the encumbrances of her painful past and fulfil any ambitions she still held.
Gina’s last conversation with Trish had been that fateful night beside the railway line when emotions were at breaking point. Although she knew there was truth in the old adage that time was a great healer, she needed some further closure. Though it might not be possible to meet Trish in person, she needed to make contact and decided to write her a letter. Gina had no idea whether they would actually give the letter to her in the hospital, but she felt it was the right thing to do.
Dear Trish,
Perhaps you don’t want to hear from me? I will understand if that is the case, but I need to write down my feelings, and I hope that you will find it in your heart to read my words.
I wish I could turn back the clock and change the way I behaved so that you could have enjoyed your school years. I was a coward, a bully, a spoilt brat and probably many more descriptions could apply. I am truly ashamed of my behaviour.
I do not blame you for the way you reacted after seeing me in the inquiry, and I can understand how it must have triggered the awful memories. In a way, I now feel free of my past which I had managed to push to some distant part of my memory. Now, it is time for me to make some changes in my life and to try to make amends. I will leave the decision to you as to whether we can meet in person, whatever your decision, I wish you a speedy recovery.
Best wishes,
Gina.
