The Island’s new Mental Health Court has taken off in pilot form, with repeat offender Darren Anglin sentenced to weekly sessions by Magistrates’ Court.

Anglin, 28, was remanded to Westgate Prison in the meantime, after pleading guilty to two counts of stealing jewellery from his mother.

The court heard from prosecutor Nicole Smith that Anglin took two $150 silver earrings and a gold watch from Paulette Anglin on July 8. The two had shared a home at the Radnor Estate in Hamilton Parish.

Ms Smith said Anglin alarmed his mother that morning after he grew angry, causing her to leave the house at 10am. She returned later to find the items missing, and phoned a friend because she was afraid of her son.

Magistrate Khamisi Tokunbo heard that Anglin returned at 3.30pm, banging on the glass door. When confronted about the missing jewellery, he replied “You mean this?” and produced the watch.

According to Ms Smith, Anglin continued: “I’m going to f***ing kill you” — then fled as Ms Anglin’s friend arrived by motorcycle. Police arrested him on July 10.

Noting his numerous previous convictions for violence, Ms Smith added: “Prior to this, his mother was the only person who would take him in. This is the last straw.”

Unable to raise bail, Anglin had been incarcerated, and opted to reach out to a doctor at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute, who had agreed to assist with treatment.

Ms Smith said the defendant had been diagnosed with three mental illnesses.

“It seems hardly advantageous to Mr Anglin and the community at large to simply put a band-aid on this,” she added, requesting a substance abuse report with a psychological and cognitive assessment as a prelude to Mental Health Court.

Mr Tokunbo agreed, remanding Anglin to attend the special court weekly, commencing today.