Dr Jeroen Ensink - The Same Old Story

Dr Jeroen Ensink, R.I.P.

I should have known better. I had hoped that we might be spared any more accounts of murders by mental health patients, at least for this year. Readers of Rhymes and Routes probably feel the same, and I understand that. When a friend sent me an email about the killing of Doctor Jeroen Ensink on December 29, 2015, my first reaction was to tell myself: "You've written about this subject so many times, what's the point in revisiting it yet again?". I then read the details of Dr Ensink's murder and changed my mind. There are uniquely poignant features to this crime, as indeed there are in all such cases, but there are many sadly familiar details.
Once again, we have a story of an innocent member of the public killed by a mental health patient in the street. Again, questions are raised about why such a murderous and unstable person, in this case, a 23-year old Nigerian named Femi Nandap, was out on the streets in the first place. Again, the guilty party, in this case Nandap, pleads diminished responsibility on mental health grounds. And yet again, we are left feeling appalled at the crime, and baffled at how it could have happened.
As well we might. The details of this case defy belief. Last December 29, Dr Ensink, a university lecturer, left his Islington home to post "New Baby" cards to inform friends and family of the arrival of his daughter Fleur, born only eleven days before. In a cruel twist of fate, as he walked to post his cards, he encountered Nandap who attacked him with a knife, stabbing him repeatedly.
As the press have pointed out, Nandap could have been stopped before this happened. As the Daily Mail says:

"Nandap, of Woolwich, south east London, was arrested in May last year and charged with wielding knives in public and assaulting a police officer.

Nandap later flew back to Nigeria in June for three months, missing his bail appointment in August.

He finally appeared in court in October, but was granted bail by magistrates - despite objections from the prosecutor."

The Mail goes on to say:

"The Crown Prosecution Service said today it dropped Nandap's knife and police assault charges because of a 'lack of evidence' - but said even if he was prosecuted he would still be free on bail.

A spokesman said: 'This was a tragic case and our sympathies are with Mr Ensink's family."

Oh well, that's nice. At least they sympathise with the victim's family. Also, at least the national media is taking more of an interest in these horrible events and calling the authorities to account. Not that it will make the general public any safer - there is nothing to stop an incident like this happening again. As Julian Hendy, who runs the "100 Families" website (see "Links") has said:

"This is another deeply distressing case of an innocent man and young family destroyed by the violent actions of a seriously mentally ill offender."

That is absolutely correct. Doctor Ensink's daughter will never know her dad; the feelings of his widow can only be imagined. The more I read of Dr Ensink, the more I am appalled at his fate because he contributed so much to the world in his lifetime.He was an expert in sanitation and water management, and worked in developing countries including Ethiopia, Senegal, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Sri Lanka. The director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said:

'Dr Ensink joined the school almost a decade ago, and at the time of his death he was leading a large study in the Democratic Republic of Congo to understand how improvements in water supply could control and prevent cholera outbreaks.'

Femi Nandap will probably be confined to somewhere like Broadmoor where he will receive intense therapy. He may well be pronounced "cured" in a few years time and released - perhaps to kill again, like so many others. Mrs Ensink and her daughter, Fleur, face a life sentence.

As before, I know that I speak for all readers of "Rhymes and Routes" (and all sane and normal people!) in sending condolences to Dr Ensink's family, friends, colleagues and students, should they happen upon this blog. No words from me can heal their pain, but there is a research fund set up by Dr Ensink's university, which readers can access - HERE. There can be no better tribute to his memory.
Speaking personally, I shall try my utmost never to dismiss other crimes of this kind again. It matters not whether the victims are distinguished academics like Dr Ensink or "ordinary" housewives; they are all innocent. Rhymes and Routes will continue to remember them, and do our very limited best to bring these hideous murders to an end.