'I can cure Blip Boy' claims top psychiatrist

Controversial psychiatrist Dr Bob Johnson, and his wife, Sue, who have set up the James Nayler Foundation to eliminate violent and criminal behaviour, and believe they can help Blip Boy

John Michael Harris, nicknamed "Blip Boy", arrives at York Crown Court for sentencing, earlier this month

Dr Bob Johnson and his wife, Sue, have founded a charity, the James Nayler Foundation, with the aim of building a violence-free society.

And the doctor, who dramatically reduced violence among serial killers and other dangerous inmates during five years working at Parkhurst jail, is hoping to launch a pilot project to combat violent and criminal behaviour in York.

He says he is seeking support for a multi-agency scheme which could bring great benefits.

He claims he could cure repeat burglars such as Blip Boy of their compulsive criminal behaviour if he was able to tackle the root causes.

John Michael Harris, 18, of Chapelfields, nicknamed Blip Boy because a blip developed in criminal statistics wherever he was living in North Yorkshire, is believed to have burgled hundreds of properties in York.

The one-man crime wave was jailed for three-and-a-half years earlier this month after admitting burgling two York pensioners' homes, within days of being released from jail for other offences. The judge said York needed a holiday from his criminal activities.

But Dr Johnson says there is every likelihood he will return to criminal activities on his release, unless the right action is taken to deal with the causes of his behaviour.

The unorthodox psychiatrist - a strong critic of modern psychiatry who believes it has "painted itself into a corner" - claims that childhood trauma and stress lies behind much offending behaviour, and also self-harming illnesses such as anorexia and bulimia.

He says that when he has been able to help offenders examine and address the root cause of their crimes, the results have been spectacular. "I have never met Blip Boy, but I am convinced that I could cure him, given the opportunity and resources."

But to turn around Blip Boy's behaviour, he would need the consent of the governor and medical officer of the institution where he is held, and also of the criminal himself.

Dr Johnson says serial burglars like Blip Boy have a form of mental illness. "It's a compulsion. They don't do it for the material benefits, but get a thrill from entering properties to cover up a deep-seated pain, which they won't talk about without a great deal of expert persuasion."

The foundation has been set up to advance the understanding, treatment and elimination of violence, and promote the treatment of personality disorders through "emotional education."

It will be formally launched at an international conference in London in April, which Dr Johnson expects will be attended by 600 delegates, and at which speakers will include a chief constable, a QC and a former director of mental health services at Massachussets Prison in America.

Dr Johnson hit the headlines in 1996 when he quit Parkhurst - where he worked on a special wing with some of Britain's most dangerous prisoners - in protest at the then Home Secretary Michael Howard's penal policies.

He worked briefly last year as head of therapy at Ashworth high-security hospital before coming to York, where he works as a private psychiatric consultant.

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