Mum’s bid to kill sons and commit suicide

11:51am Tuesday 15th April 2008

Comments (1)   Have your say »

A single mum-of-three was arrested at Queen Mary's Hospital, Sidcup, after unsuccessfully trying to kill herself and her three children.

Taiwo Balogun left a despairing suicide note saying she had failed at everything and did not want to waste taxpayers' money, before getting into her car with her sons aged one, three and six.

Judge Gregory Stone said it was only through the prompt action of a charge nurse at Queen Mary's that her attempt to kill them all failed.

The children have since made a full recovery.

On August 28 last year, Balogun, aged 38, took the children to a garage near her home and tried to kill herself and children with exhaust fumes, the Old Bailey heard on April 11.

But her attempt failed and she drove to Queen Mary's Hospital.

Balogun, of Bracton Lane, Dartford, admitted three charges of attempted murder.

Police found her suicide note, which read: "I have failed as a mother, a partner, a worker and a taxpayer. I have failed in everything.

"Don't waste taxpayers' money with me.

"I have taken the boys with me to save them from a painful future."

It continued: "I am a mistake, a weirdo, a nothing.

"I cannot do anything right.

"Sorry about the boys. I can't leave them behind to be separated, passed from hand to hand, abused."

Psychiatrists have since diagnosed Balogun as suffering from depression, with an underlying personality disorder.

Judge Stone told her: "These are very serious offences.

"At the same time, it is right to acknowledge the circumstances are very tragic."

He added: "My conclusion is you remain a risk to yourself and to others as well, and especially to your children."

Judge Stone used sections 38 and 41 of the Mental Health Act to commit Balogun to a secure hospital, telling her she would not be released until she was considered to be safe.