A CONSULTANT psychiatrist has been found guilty of mistakes over the release of a mental health patient just weeks before he shot dead a childhood friend.

But allegations that he acted inappropriately, put the public at risk, and that his conduct was not that of a competent consultant psychatric were dismissed.

Dr Shashank Chattree released Mark Harrington from Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn in October 2001.

Less than three months later he shot and killed 18-year-old Anthony Rigby at his home in Swift Close, Larkhill.

He has been found guilty of failing to arrange follow-up appointments for Harrington and failing to take follow-up action when he met the patient later, in a hospital car park, by chance.

Dr Chattree is now waiting to hear from the General Medical Council fitness to practice panel if he has been convicted of serious professional misconduct.

The four-strong panel will continue their deliberations tomorrow over whether his actions amount to serious professional misconduct.

Expert witnesses called by the doctor's legal team said he made the correct decision, as Harrington was not showing any signs of mental illness immediately prior to his discharge.

Colleagues said Dr Chattree was also under increasing pressure at Queen's Park because of the number of patients he was asked to deal with.

Anthony's mother Carole Rigby lodged an official complaint about the handling of Harrington's case, which resulted in a GMC investigation.

* Harrington, of St James Road, Blackburn, is currently detained in a secure mental health unit after admitting the manslaughter of Anthony Rigby on the grounds of diminished responsibility.