Convicted Therapist Jailed For Client Death 'Released Early' And Returned To US
A therapist, previously convicted of manslaughter following the death of a client during a ‘slapping therapy’ session, has reportedly been released early from his prison sentence. Stephen Young, 64, was imprisoned for five years in 2022 after being found guilty of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Jacky Patrick, 56. Ms Patrick died from a heart attack during a therapy session at Young’s house in west London in 2018.
Reports indicate Young, originally from the US, was repatriated to his home country in May. Prosecutors informed Isleworth Crown Court that they had received information suggesting Young was no longer in custody following his return to the US. This development follows his initial conviction where the court heard that Young had ignored Ms Patrick’s pleas to stop and failed to call for medical assistance for over 20 minutes.
The circumstances surrounding Young's early release and his status in the US remain unclear. The repatriation and subsequent alleged release underscore the persistent challenges in ensuring accountability for foreign nationals convicted of serious crimes within the UK judicial system, particularly when international agreements dictate the transfer of prisoners. Critics routinely point to how such arrangements can inadvertently undermine the punitive intent of British courts, with foreign policy considerations often taking precedence over victim redress.
