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Murder Trial: Prison calls highlight defendant's fear

Sat, 11 Apr 2015

Telephone calls made in prison by a man who is accused of murder highlight his trust issues and fear of abandonment.

That's according to the clinical psychologist who diagnosed 46-year-old Ian Anderson with a personality disorder.

He was remanded at the Isle of Man Prison on December 5th 2013 after the body of 60-year-old Neil Roberts was found at his home in Castletown on December 1st.

Doctor Mark Bradley had access to 260 phone calls made between Anderson and his family from Jurby - he told a jury they show the "oscillation" of his emotions.

Analysing calls between Anderson and his wife he said there was a "fluctuation" of extreme feelings - "on one hand idealising her and on the other hand devaluing the relationship".

The doctor said it was a "classic kind of pattern" with Anderson being "really agitated" one minute and then wanting to "make amends" the next.

Describing how Anderson's fear of abandonment had impacted his behaviour in the run up to the alleged murder he said it was because of "fear" that his wife would leave him for Mr Roberts.

He said Anderson was "desperate to hang on" to the relationship but at the same time wanted his wife to leave - "he was trapped in oscillation between the two," the doctor added.

Dr Bradley said this fear was reflected in the phone calls with Anderson telling his wife she had "played him" and he wished she'd just left and days later telling her he still loved her.

Ian Anderson denies murder - the trial continues.

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