Friskney stabbings: Woman unfit to plead to attempted murder

Ann Marie McEvoy was charged following an incident at a flat in Fold Hill, Friskney, in November 2022

A woman accused of the attempted murder of two young boys has been found unfit to stand trial.

Ann Marie McEvoy, 41, of Church Walk, Colchester, was charged following an incident at a flat in Fold Hill, Friskney, on 29 November 2022.

Judge Simon Hirst, sitting at Lincoln Crown Court, said Ms McEvoy was not fit to enter a plea or stand trial.

A trial of the facts will now take place on 24 June to decide if Ms McEvoy carried out the alleged acts.

The court was previously told police were called to the property following reports of a concern for safety.

Ms McEvoy was arrested after an eight-hour stand-off in which armed officers were present.

The boys, who were aged 10 at the time, and cannot be named because of their ages, sustained stab wounds in the incident, but neither was believed to have suffered life-threatening injuries.

Ms McEvoy was also later charged with one count of attempted grievous bodily harm on a police officer and threatening a person with an offensive weapon.

On Friday, Judge Hurst told the court he was satisfied Ms McEvoy was suffering from a mental disability after assessing expert medical reports on her.

A trial of the facts is where the prosecution sets out the case in front of a jury but the defendant does not have to play a part in proceedings or be present in court.

The jury then decides if the defendant committed the alleged offence, though their conclusion cannot result in a criminal conviction.

A further hearing is due to take place on 24 May ahead of the trial of the facts in June.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesperson said a mandatory referral had been made to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.