The Strange Case Of The Silent Twins (Press, 19 June 1982)

June and Jennifer Gibbons, 19-year-old identical twins, were sentenced by Mr Justice Leonard at Swansea Crown Court to indefinite detention at Broadmoor Hospital, a high-security psychiatric facility, following their guilty pleas to 16 charges including breaking and entering, petty theft, and arson. The twins, known for their frail appearance and silence, were described by the prosecution as having previously been of good character, with no prior convictions. Throughout the court proceedings, they remained impassive and did not engage with the court, demonstrating a long-standing refusal to speak to adults, which baffled those around them. Their chosen mode of communication was exclusive to one another, using a private language that left adults in confusion. The twins' psychological condition was deemed to be a psychopathic disorder by a psychiatrist from Broadmoor, leading to their recommended placement at the facility. This decision was seen as largely unavoidable, as there were no alternative sentencing options available. Official reports indicated the twins had been aware of their confinement, exhibiting a peculiar dynamic of communication and behaviour, characterised by a history of elective mutism. Despite their silence to the outside world, there were indications of a rich inner life; they had been secretly teaching themselves to write and had produced several works, one of which June published, demonstrating a level of literary talent that contrasted sharply with their communication difficulties. June and Jennifer’s silence had its origins in their childhood, with delayed speech development and growing avoidance of interactions with adults. Over time, their behaviour became increasingly withdrawn, culminating in bizarre actions that worried their family and educators. They developed a fear of being observed and preferred to communicate through brief notes or silence, leading to a unique bond that kept them isolated from their peers and family. Even therapists struggled to break through their silent barrier, resulting in increasingly desperate measures, including attempts to separate the twins, which ultimately led to heightened distress. The girls' troubles escalated following a brief friendship with boys from a nearby naval base, which introduced them to delinquent behaviours such as glue sniffing, leading to their series of thefts and arson incidents, amounting to significant property damage. The police apprehended them after they were caught setting fire to a college, uncovering evidence of their crimes in their bedroom, including a bizarre diary maintained by June. Their sudden criminal activities remained unexplained, although both girls expressed a desire for fame that took a tragic turn. Now detained at Broadmoor, the twins, who have never had prior offences, found themselves on a path that could lead to permanent confinement among individuals with severe mental disorders. The complexities of their identity, communication, and their rare psychological condition continue to intrigue and confuse those who have encountered them.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand