By Jason Morrison

Anyone else find it amazing how many people develop a 'history of mental illness' when they start to think about a stint in the slammer?

Seems to be a tactic right out of the defence lawyer playbook for just about everyone caught red-handed.

And I do wonder how the dial-a-diagnosis sits with people who really do live and struggle with genuine depression? But think about it - when was the last time you heard of someone just admitting they did it and got caught?

Instead we get the expert report – usually several pages of reasons, normally possible scenarios explaining the behaviour from the psychiatrist.

Thomson today, Williamson last week, thugs who beat people up, child molesters - etc. etc. all play the game. 

But today, Magistrate Charlie Rozencwajg seemed to call bullshit on it.

"I've never met anyone who's not depressed at the prospect of going to jail" he said, as Thomson's QC passed up the magic report. Talk sbout hitting the nail on the head!

We’ll really never have any idea if Thomson and Williamson are or were depressed – does it excuse what they did?

We do however know they are thieves, fraudsters, liars, exploiters of hard working people, and probably bullies as well. Sorry if I left something out.

Is it meant to follow that everyone with a mental illness is a potential Thommo or Williamson?

There's an entire industry out there policing what you can and can't say about mental illness. They name and shame people in the media who question things like this.

The trouble is, criminals who can’t or won’t face up to their own actions are exploiting the very stigma we’re all meant to be fighting.