The case of a dangerous, sexually disturbed patient who is living in a York care home has been raised with Home Secretary Jack Straw in the Commons.

Ryedale MP and Tory Home Affairs spokesman John Greenway urged the Minister to back urgent health reforms to ensure disturbed individuals such as "Tom" receive appropriate psychiatric care.

The Evening Press reported last week how 18-year-old Tom, whose name has been changed to protect his identity, was continuing to stay in the annexe of a residential care home in The Mount - even though he had attempted to rape home owner Rose Cusick - because no psychiatric hospital would take him in and treat him.

The home has now received a letter from City of York Council's registration and inspection unit, saying that discussions will take place with the health authority about Tom's case.

Mrs Cusick is concerned that some punitive action may be taken because regulations are being breached in holding Tom at the home.

She refuses to "release" Tom into the community because she fears he would rape or even kill someone.

Mr Greenway said in the Commons: "If there is a scandal in this, it is the fact that so many young people are left with no one to care for them.

"It is scandalous that some psychiatrists say that they are not treatable, when the majority view is that they are."

The Home Secretary backed the view that mentally disordered prisoners who are not a serious risk to the public could be more appropriately treated in the mental health system. He said Health Secretary Frank Dobson had made clear the importance he attached to introducing legislation on this. Mr Straw also stressed that an extra £700 million was being invested in mental health services over the next three years to tackle problems like Tom's case.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.