In the second installment of our Meet the Storyteller and Respondent series we will meet Nicholas Clarke and Nell Munro.  Nick and Nell will be presenting at our first thematic workshop on Criminal Responsibility which takes place on the 23rd of September. You can find out more about the event here. 

My name is Nicholas Clarke.

I am from England.

I have experience in ‘Hidden Disability’ within the British Justice System. I was formally diagnosed with Asperger syndrome aged 25 during a breakdown period that was poorly managed by the authorities.

I want to share my story about being wrongfully convicted for minor offences. It was clear at the time I was going through a clinical depression and a mental breakdown. The Crown Prosecution Service chose to ignore the fact that I was unfit to plead a guilty verdict.

My 7 word autobiography is: Dedication, determination, motivation, loyalty, honesty, equality and fair justice.

I joined the VOICES project because, I felt inspired to help raise awareness towards Asperger syndrome and the lack of Autism Awareness within the justice system, promoting ‘Hidden Disability Awareness’ campaigning for individuals on the autistic spectrum that have been wrongfully convicted with a lifelong criminal record.

What was your favourite part of the first workshop?

Pairing up with Respondent Nell Munro; combing her vast expertise in Autism Awareness and the British Justice System. I knew straight away Nell was the right choice. It’s a great honour and privilege having her expert knowledge, to help me voice my personal battles and trauma that my family and I had to endure.

What are you hoping to learn from the project?

Expanding my knowledge on criminal responsibility and the legal rights for individual’s with mental health related conditions, in the hope that the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities true values for equality and fairness are taken into consideration.