Statement from the family of Michael and Garvey Gayle

Today, at Cardiff Crown Court, Garvey Gayle, 23, was detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act for the manslaughter of his father and attempted murder of his mother.

Police were called to St Mellons, Cardiff, on October 16, 2020 to reports of a serious assault in a property.
Michael Gayle, 54, died at the scene and Amanda Brookes was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Their son Garvey was arrested, charged and pleaded guilty on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

 

 

Their family have released the following statement, which was read outside court by Marysia Gayle, Michael’s daughter and Garvey’s sister.

“Today our brother was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order. A tough day for us all but some peace can be taken from knowing that he will finally get the help he’s needed for a long long time.

“There will never be enough words to describe the impact this awful life changing tragedy has had on us as a family.

“Losing our Dad, and Mum losing her partner under these unimaginable circumstances has been physically and mentally unbearable.

“Whilst the past two years have been a living nightmare, what some may not realise is that the three years prior to losing Dad were also an uphill battle that was never ending. We as a family did everything within our power to get Garvey the help he needed, we don’t know what more we could have done. As much as it pains us to say this, we all said that without professional help, something like this was inevitable. It could have and should have been prevented. It should never have come to this. It should never have taken for our Dad to die and for our Brother to get the help he needed many years ago.

“Our plea for help didn’t end the night we lost Dad. It will continue until we are satisfied that no other family has go through the same tragedy and suffer the battle and loss that we have faced. The system has failed us. It’s no secret that the mental health system is flawed massively but this is no excuse for the continuous failings. Lessons must be learned. Pro-action must take precedence over reaction. Something has to change. We are sadly not the first to suffer the neglect of the system, but we absolutely must be the last family this happens to.”

 

 

 

Detective Superintendent Mark O’Shea, from South Wales Police, said: “Michael Gayle was a much loved partner, father and grandad.
“The Gayle family has shown immense dignity under exceptionally difficult circumstances.
“I have huge admiration for the family’s fortitude and the care they have shown to Garvey Gayle.
“We await with interest the outcome of the Independent Homicide Review Which will look into the issues which led to this tragic incident.
“Our thoughts are with the family at this time and we will continue to support them as they search for answers.”