Chronic reaction of grief

A psychiatric report on Mark Middleton for yesterday's sentencing diagnosed him as suffering "chronic hypertrophic grief."

Judge Michael Lance, QC, was told that the condition was dysfunctional bereavement grief caused by sudden and unexpected trauma.

Middleton's lawyer, Keith Jefferies, said it was intense and could last for years.

Waitemata Health psychiatrist Dr Allen Fraser said chronic hypertrophic grief was not a phrase commonly used in diagnosis, but "what the doctor is meaning is that Mr Middleton has a long-standing, developed grief reaction."

Judge Lance told Middleton that it was regrettable that he had not been diagnosed and treated earlier. Middleton's eldest brother, George, had previously raised concerns about a lack of counselling.