Paul Whatuira may be in mental health unit a month

Oct 17 2009 Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Paul Whatuira

GIANTS star Paul Whatuira may spend up to a month in a specialist mental health unit.

The 28-year-old New Zealand international was taken to the unit in Bradford after he was arrested on suspicion of assaulting two men in Huddersfield early on Tuesday morning.

One of the men suffered a broken nose and other serious facial injuries including broken teeth.The second man was less seriously hurt.

The incident happened outside engineering firm TWL on St Thomas’ Road between Folly Hall and Thornton Lodge.

Whatuira – known as Fatz to his team-mates – was arrested nearby and taken to Huddersfield police station before he was transferred to the special mental health unit.

He is undergoing a mental health assessment and, under the Mental Health Act, health experts have up to 28 days to assess a patient.

A spokeswoman for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which runs local mental health services said: “Someone held under section 2 of the civil section can be held for 28 days, at which point the case is reviewed and can be renewed for six months.

“After six months this is reviewed and can be extended for a further six months.

“Someone can be detained if they are incapable of making a decision or refuse admission.”

Huddersfield Giants are still reeling in shock from Tuesday’s events.

A source close to the club said: “I understand he is undergoing tests and scans which could take a few weeks.

“Only very close members of his family can visit him at the moment. The Giants have been receiving Get Well cards and emails from a good number of fans and wellwishers.”