Dr Richard Furst
MBBS, M Crim, FRANZCP
Provider No: 218801DA
ABN: 33303683904
Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist
Level 8 Practice
Suite 17, Level 8, 235 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000
P: (02) 9221 0688 F: (02) 9221 0544 M: 0412454477
29th April 2014
Mr Wali Shukoor,
Solicitor,
Legal Aid Commission of NSW,
Inner City Local Courts,
Level1,
323 Castlereagh St,
Sydney, NSW, 2000
Phone: (02) 9219 5715
Fax: (02) 9219 5889
PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTAL PSYCHIATRIC REPORT
Re: Michael John Curry
DOB: 30/08/1961
Ref: 2014137780
Dear Mr Shukoor,
As per your letter of instructions dated 19/03/14 and the accompanying material, I understand that Mr Curry has been charges with the following offences (H52522070):
. ‘Behave on the offensive manner in/near public place/school’
. ‘Resist officer in the execution of his duty’
. ‘Assault officer in the execution of duty’ (2 counts)
The charges arise out of the events that are alleged to have taken place on 9/11/13 at Darlinghurst.
He has also been charged with the following offences (H261779093):
. ‘Assault officer in execution of duty’
The charge arises out of events that are alleged to have taken place on 1/03/14 on George Street, Sydney.
Mr Curry is due to appear in the Downing Centre Local Court on 2/05/14.
You instructed you have seen Mr Curry on a number of occasions since 3/12/13. On each occasion he expressed what you would consider to be paranoid and delusional beliefs. He apparently told you about a diverse range of matters, such as his role in thwarting an assassination attempt on Barack Obama, his work as a spy for the government, police causing him to be bitten by a “black widow spider” and him subsequently feeling delirious, and his role in the “special forces,” amongst other things.
You indicated that Mr Curry seems, in your opinion, to have little insight into is mental health; however, he has agreed to be assessed by a psychiatrist.
Mr Curry also reports that he has never been diagnosed with any mental illness/condition. He denies receiving any treatment for paranoia or dulusions. You were unable to find any evidence that he has ever been treated for a mental illness.
I was asked to determine his medical condition at the time of the alleged offences and provide an opinion about the options that are available to the court, including his eligibility for disposition according to Section 32 of the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act, 1990 (NSW).
I currently work as a Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist at Level 8 Practice, Sydney, and the MPSC at Long Bay Complex. I completed Masters of Criminology at the University of Sydney in 2007 and report extensively to the Courts. I am aware of the code of conduct for expert witnesses in NSW and agree to be bound by these.
CONFIDENTIALITY AND CONSENT
I explained to Mr Curry that I would be writing to you for the purposes of his upcoming court appearance, and, as such this will not be confidential. He agreed to be assessed for this purpose.
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
1. Assessment of Mr Curry at the Level 8 Practice, Sydney on 11/02/14 for a period of approximately 50 minutes.
2. Court Attendance Notice
3. Police Facts (H53674128 and H261779093)
4. Medical records, Foster House Clinic
5. Letters from Dr Christopher Vickers, consultant gastroenterologist and specialist in liver disorders.
DEMOGRAPHIC DETAILS
Mr Curry is a 52-year-old single male with one child who has been living at Foster House for the last four months. He previously worked as a special education teacher for autistic children. He is currently unemployed and in receipt of a Disability Support Pension.
PSYCHIATRIC HISTORY
Mr Curry has one brother who lives in Brisbane. His parents are deceased. His father died from liver cancer and his mother died from breast cancer. I understand his father worked in the racing industry breading horses.
Mr Curry attended Oak Hill College in Castle Hill, apparently being of average academic ability. His brother is a pilot. He claimed his father knew Kerry Packer.
Mr Curry stated he worked as a teacher of specialist needs children at Macquarie Hospital, Arndell and Redbank, which are joint Department of Education and New South Wales Health facilities.
He also stated he worked as an acupuncturist at night and was proficient in Kung Fu and Ninjitsu. He said that he ran acupuncture clinics in Grafton and Tweed Heads for about 12 years. His report in this respect was unreliable.
He was married in 1992 and divorced in 1998. He has one child.
There was no apparent history of major mental illness or previous history of psychiatric treatment. However, he said that he presented at Nambor Hospital in Queensland in 2002. Mr Curry stated he had 14 acres of land and was growing coffee. He stated he was “threatened by bikies” and that “someone’s wife was killed up there,” which he reported to Gold Coast police. It was notclear if this really happened or he was a delusional memory.
Mr Curry proceeded to give some rather bizarre history, claiming he travelled to the United States and help prevent an assassination attempt on Barack Obama in Boston. Mr Curry stated that he “used baseballs to take out a shooter.”
He said, “I did years of Ninjitsu. I’ve got an awareness. I ‘ve been able to intervene in six terrorist actions in the United States between 2004 and 2005. I have prevented six terrorist attacks in Sydney.
He claimed that he was working with Special Forces and was a spy, being a volunteer for the war against terror and preventing a bombing at New York Central Station and Times Square.
In relation to the history about a black widow spider, Mr Curry said he was “delirious” when he was pushed in front of a car and that he off his head was “off his head.”
DRUG AND ALCOHOL HISTORY
Mr Curry has a history of substance abuse, describing himself as a “low-grade alcoholic.” He reported drinking up to 10 beers a per night.
He smoked cannabis at University, with no ongoing use.
He denied using amphetamines, opiates or any other drugs.
MEDICAL HISTORY
Mr Curry was diagnosed with hepatitis C after a needlestick injury in 1998. He has been under the care of Dr Christopher Vickers, a gastroenterologist at St Vincent’s Hospital, since October 2013, who prescribed interferon treatment, “bombed his head.”
He has been under the care of Dr Briggs, an Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital.
I note be has received some medical care from Dr Brian Foo, his GP at Foster House, as reviewed below.
MEDICATIONS
No regular medications.
FAMILY HISTORY
There was no history of mental illness in his family.
ACCOUNT OF THE INDEX OFFENCES
In relation to the alleged events on 09/11/13 at Darlinghurst, Mr Curry stated “three sharks, bug guys, bustled me. Oneguy had something in his hand. They would standovers. Collectors. I gave one guy a toe-kcat kick to the wrists.”
He added, “I’m Street wary. Gangland stuffe. I’ve reacted. I have borderline paranoia since about the incident in 2002.”
He stated he started interferon therapy one week prior to that incident.
He denied experiencing auditory hallucinations.
In relations to the alleged offences on 01/03/14 on George Street, Mr Curry said, “I got shoved into traffic. I nearly got hit by a police car.”
When asked why he had been aggressive, Mr Curry replied, “I don’t know who they were. I did not know they were police.”
He had apparently received a dose of interferon the day before that incident.
MENTAL STATE EXAMINATION
Mr Curry presented as a 52-year-old male who has a tall and stature, bald, bad blue eyes and had scars on his face. He ignored some paranoid thinking. He was quite expansive at the time of nterview and obviously grandiose.
There were no indications that he was suicidal. He had no insight into his apparent mental disorder.
MEDICAL RECORDS, FOSTER HOUSE CLINIC
A review of the medical records indicates the following:
. 24/09/13: Assessment by Dr Foo revaled a previous neddle-stick injury and hepatitis C. No previous mental health was known.
. 03/10/13: Referred by Dr Foo to see Dr Christpher Vickers at St Vincent’s Hospital in relation to his alcohol abuse and hepatitis C.
. 13/01/14: Assessment by Dr Foo revealed he had started hepatitis C treatment and was on both tablets and injections (self-administered).
. 10/02/14: Told Dr Foo “even weeks ago he was coming to help a woman who was mugged by three guys. He fought the guys and let free the woman, but the police came and restrained him thinking he was in a fight.” This account may well relate to the charges he is facing (H53674128), again suggesting a delusional interpretation of the events. He was referred to Dr Astrid Ragoz, a consultant psychiatrist at Foster House.
. 28/02/14: Assessment with James Southan, mental health nurse. Expressed beliefs that “police are deliberately withholding information.” Claimed that he had been “extorted” in the past by teachers. Was apparently on a Disability Support Pension for alcoholism. Was still on the interferon treatment Pegatron 150/68. “acknowledges that this can make him angry, feeling charge of agitation following dose lasting hours then following this his mood will dip over the following two days. He was thought to be suffering from a psychotic illness in the grandiosity and paranoid ideation.
. 31/03/14: referred to Dr Biggs at St Vincent’s Hospital Warren ingrown hair in his left nostril. Dr Vickers has ceased interferon. Treatment with antibiotics.
DIAGNOSIS (DSM-5)
Mr Curry meets criteria for the diagnosis of the following mental disorders:
. Organic psychosis (secondary to his interferon treatment)
. Alcohol dependence
Mr Curry has evidence of emotional instability, grandiose and paranoid delusions and bizarre
behaviour indicating the presence of psychotic illness that has placed himself at risk over recent months.
Unfortunately, interferon treatment is often associated with severe depression and/or psychosis,
Even in individuals not previously suffering those conditions.
Discontinuation of interferon and/or treatment with antipsychotic medication such as Olanzapine
or Risperidone will generally lead to resolution of psychotic symptoms an improvement in mood
and behavior, giving him a positive prognosis. I understand Dr Vickers stopped his interferon
treatment in March.
Mr Curry worked as a special needs education teacher in the past, apparently discontinuing due a
dispute with other teachers and relapsing into drinking again sometime in 2013, up to 9 drinks per
day. This history was outlined in a letter from Dr Christopher Vickers dated 25/10/13, which
predated his interferon treatment and is probably more reliable than the other available history.
OPINON RE SECTION 32 OF THE MENTAL HEALTH (FORENSIC PROVISIONS) ACT
There are a number of specific questions to address when considering whether Mr Curry is eligible
for disposition under Section 32. I will address these in turn:
1. Is my client currently, or was my client at the time of the alleged commission of the offence(s):
. developmentally disabled;
Answer: No
. suffering from mental illness; or
Answer: Yes Organic psychosis.
. suffering from a mental condition for which treatment is available in a mental health facility.
Answer: No
But not a mentally ill person?
Answer: He was not a mentally ill person at the time of recent assessment.
2. If the Court considers that my client’s condition falls into one of the above categories, it may take various orders set out below, and your opinion as to the most appropriate orders is sought:
. the Court may dismiss the charge(s) and discharge my client into care of a responsible person with or without conditions:
If you recommend this option, please specify the appropriate responsible person, and any conditions you should recommend.
. the Court may dismiss the charge and discharge my client on the condition that my client attend a person or place for assessment or treatment, or both:
If you recommend this option, please specify the appropriate person or agency my client should attend and outline the specific treatment plan you should recommend. A treatment plan may include the frequency of attendance, the type of treatment prescribed (including any need for medication), and any other conditions that may improve my clients prognosis.
. the Court may dismiss the charge and discharge my client unconditionally.
If you recommend this option, please specify why you recommend this an appropriate course.
Answer: I would recommend the second option, with Mr Curry remaining under the care of his GP, Dr Brian Foo, of the Foster House Clinic, 5-19 Marion Street, Surry Hills, NSW, 2010, Phone: (02) 8218 1210 Fax: (02) 9212 6170, or delegate, subject to the following
Treatment plan:
1. He remains under the care of his treating doctor to coordinate his treatment pursuant to his mental health care plan.
2. He attends appointments with Dr Brian Foo, or delegate at a frequency as directed, probably monthly in the first instance.
3. In excess referral to Dr Astrid Rogoz, consultant psychiatrist, to review his mentak health symptoms and treatment needs, Referral to the Darlinghurst Community Mental Health Team may also be indicated.
4. He complies with medication as prescribed by his treating doctor, probably a trial of Risperidone 2mg orally daily in the first instance.
5. He remains under the care of Dr Christopher Vickers consultant gastroenterologist and specialist in liver disorders, of 601/438 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010 for ongoing management of his hepatitis C and to review the side-effects of his interferon, which has now been discontinued.
6. He engages in drug and alcohol counseling/and or rehabilitation to address alcohol dependency issues.
7. He accepts other counseling or treatment as deemed necessary by his treating doctors.
The treatment I have recommended are community based and do not require hospitalization.
3. Is my client currently a mentally ill person?
Answer: No
If so, the options available to the Court are as follows:
. the Court may order that my client be taken to, and detained, in a mental health facility for assessment; or
. the Court may discharge my client unconditionally or subject to conditions into care of a responsible person.
Would you recommend eithier of these options?
Answer: I would not recommend these options, as Mr Curry is not a mentally ill person. However, given his previous episodes of aggression and bizarre behaviour, should be a low threshold for admission to a psychiatrc hospital in event of any relapses of his cobdition.
I trust this report is of assistance. I would recommend that a copy of this report be forwarded to future service providers, as outlined in the above treatment plan, to assist in his future management in the event that this matter is dealt with pursuant to Section 32.
Yours faithfully,
Dr Richard Furst
MBBS, M Crim, FRANZCP
Consultant Forensic Psychiatrist
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