Knife attacker who suffered delusions is detained
A 21-year-old man who threw a brick at a neighbour and then stabbed him in the head at a house where they lived has been detained in a secure mental unit.
Curtis Robertson, from Dales Road in Luton, was said to be a paranoid schizophrenic in denial about his mental health condition.
At Luton Crown Court he pleaded guilty to wounding Harshan Uddin.
Judge Michael Kay QC said to protect the public Robertson had to be detained under a mental health order.
Simon Stirling, prosecuting, said the two men had exchanged words on 21 December last year and Mr Uddin returned to his room.
Robertson began banging on his door, and when it was opened he threw a house brick, which the victim managed to avoid.
"Then he barged into the room, armed with a knife and a chair leg," Mr Stirling said.
"Mr Uddin was trying to protect himself as the defendant made stabbing movements towards his head."
He needed stitches to cuts on his scalp, and had bruising to his face and arms.
Judge Kay said he had considered psychiatric reports which said Robertson suffered from delusional beliefs but had been refusing medication.