
MARY Galvin was at home when she received a frantic call from her grandson. In garbled, confused speech she quickly realised something was seriously wrong.
She urged him to get help but it wasn't until a few days later when an officer knocked on her door and confirmed the sad truth her daughter was dead and her grandson was charged with her murder.
Stephen Ball, 32, later pleaded guilty to the unlawful killing of his mother Susanne Galvin, 55, on the grounds of diminished responsibility, and his mental health issues would become a centrepoint for his trial at Bolton Crown Court. Ultimately, jurors found him guilty of her murder.
At the trial, his grandmother, Mary, revealed the devastating reality, and disturbing consequences, of her family's troubles with mental health.
"As far as I was concerned, both Stephen and Susanne were mentally unstable," she began.
Susanne had suffered for years, firstly with alcohol-related mental health issues and then dementia, her mum said.
Mary helped look after her two boys, Stephen and Michael. She had them on and off over a number of years until being granted a residential order for them both by the family court.
They were a close family unit, though she noted that Michael 'didn't have a lot of time for his mum. He kept a close eye on Stephen, though, providing support to him when he needed it.
Stephen was diagnosed with ADHD in his teens, though Susanne wouldn't allow him to be medicated, she said.
His mental health continued to plague him. He would struggle to concentrate at school, instead focusing on more physical activities like running and boxing. Meanwhile, Susanne suffered.
When Stephen reached 18 he began taking drugs. Mary was aware and would tell him it 'wasn't good for his brain, but he continued.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In

NEXT STOP... FIVE CLUBS FOR RASH
MARCUS Rashford has admitted he is ready to leave United.

Manager reveals Garna is 'upset' over derby snub
RUBEN Amorim has revealed Alejandro Garnacho is ‘a little bit upset with him’ over his omission from the United squad against City on Sunday.

Amorim: Rash should have told me privately he wanted to leave
UNITED head coach Ruben Amorim has told Marcus Rashford he should have told him privately that he wanted to leave the club.

'There is nothing to celebrate when United cash in on a hitherto one-club man, but they have to
LITTLE that Dan Ashworth said or did has aged well at United but one quote endures.

Erl looks stronger than ever regardless of City's struggles
IN another season, the City medical team would be giving themselves a pat on the back.

Say what you like about Walker but he always fronts up despite poor results
KYLE Walker deserves plenty of criticism for his form this season but some of it has been over the top.

CITY'S TEST AT VILLA IS HUGE
CITY players will have returned to training yesterday with both hope and dread.

Reds boss should look to the Etihad to see how to deal with wantaways...
UNITED should be riding high after their derby win at the Etihad Stadium.

Keely is the 'real deal' - Lord Coe
WORLD Athletics president Lord Coe is convinced “real deal” and newly-crowned BBC Sports Personality of the Year Keely Hodgkinson has already ascended to British great status.

Roots of our festive traditions
BRINGING plants into the house to celebrate the festive season has long been part of our Christmas tradition.