Jo Cox Murder Suspect Tommy Mair A ‘Loner With Mental Health Issues’
The man held over the attack on Labour MP Jo Cox has been described by neighbours as a “loner” who had lived in the area for more than 30 years.
Tommy Mair, 52, was detained by police near his home in Birstall, West Yorkshire, after the attack that has rocked the nation.
Neighbours described him as a ‘loner’ who kept to himself but did gardening jobs for people in the local area.
Mair is also thought to have sought help in the past from a local day centre for adults suffering from mental illness.
His brother Scott Mair, 50, told reporters that he had a “history of mental illness, but he has had help”, adding that his brother is “not a violent man”.
Neighbour David Pickles said Mair had lived at his house, where officers have been seen carrying out searches after the attack, since before he moved to the area in 1975.
He said: “He’s just quiet. He kept himself to himself. He lived by himself. He’s been on his own for about 20 years.”
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: "He was a bit of a loner. It’s a bit of a shock - he did everyone’s gardens.”
In 2010 a Thomas Mair, then aged 46, was quoted in local paper the Huddersfield Examiner, talking about his mental health issues.
According to the report, he volunteered at Oakwell Hall country park in Birstall in 2010 after being a patient of the Mirfield-based Pathways Day Centre for adults with mental illness.
Mr Mair was quoted as saying: "I can honestly say it has done me more good than all the psychotherapy and medication in the world.”
Pathways is described on the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust website as a "team that offers support to people experiencing mental health difficulties”.
(Picture: Getty)
Mair’s half-brother Duane St Louis told The Guardian he recognised his relative on the news on Thursday.
“I was watching Sky News and I recognised him in handcuffs on the ground,” he said. “It felt like a dream. I just couldn’t believe he’d do something like that.”
Mr St Louis told ITV his brother “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.
Rob Webster, chief executive at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our thoughts are with Jo’s family, friends and colleagues during this tragic time.
"This is an ongoing police investigation and we are unable to comment further.”
During the attack on Jo Cox, her assailant reportedly shouted “Britain first”.
Scott Mair told the Sun: “My brother is not a violent man and is not that political.
"We don’t even know who he votes for. I am visibly shaken at this news. I am so sorry for the MP and her family.”
Mr St Louis, 41, also told the newspaper: “He’s never expressed any views about Britain, or politics or racist tendencies.”
