BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The state will not provide mental health treatment services for a Burlington repeat offender.
Patrick Ibbotson, 37, has more than 50 pending court cases in Chittenden County and has had more than 200 encounters with police in only the last year. During his most recent run-in with the law — when he was arrested six times in one week last month — Burlington Police say he stole someone’s phone on North Winooski Avenue and then later that night grabbed a woman “in a lewd and lascivious manner” downtown.
Ibbotson was back in court again Tuesday and learned that the Department of Mental Health won’t provide hospitalization. That comes after he was already found not competent for trial in a another case.
Citing his flight risk, the judge doubled his bail to $500.00 and also asked for a release plan or residential treatment for Ibbotson to protect both himself and the public.