Terror cases show necessity of mental health guidance for judges

Analysis: Even if courts follow new guidance, the options available to judges will vary across the country

In different courts, one autistic terror plotter was given life while another - Lewis Ludlow (pictured) - got 15 years (EPA)

The question of how much mental illness affects a person’s responsibility for their actions is wrought with difficulty in any arena.

But in the courts, it can be the difference between freedom and imprisonment, a life sentence or a community order.

For the most serious offences, a jury must first decide whether the accused is guilty, frequently having to listen to opposing evidence called by the prosecution and defence over their mental capacity.