By Sam Sherwood of RNZA mental health patient who stabbed a stranger while on escorted leave had a history of violence and had previously stabbed two relatives. He's now been made a special patient which means he is detained in hospital. The lawyer said his position was to neither consent nor oppose the making of a special patient order. In September 2021 Owen stabbed a relative, the following year he stabbed another relative, Judge Mika said. The threshold for detention as a special patient is high, but in my view, in this case, that threshold has been met."

Source: Otago Daily Times February 08, 2026 19:19 UTC