A MAN has been detained in a secure hospital indefinitely after admitting a stabbing in Welshpool.

James Spaull, 29, of Berriew, had pleaded guilty earlier this year to assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and two counts of possessing an offensive weapon.

He was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court where it was heard that he stabbed a man after he had stepped off a bus in Welshpool in September last year.

Spaull had since been detained under the Mental Health Act at the Ty Llywelyn medium secure unit on the North Wales coast, where he has been receiving treatment for a schizophrenic illness.

Anna Price, prosecuting, said Spaull was travelling on the same bus as two men who had learning difficulties. When the two men got off at Welshpool, to walk to a farm where they volunteered, Spaull also disembarked.

Approaching them from behind, Spaull hit one of the men on the shoulder and then produced a six-inch knife and stabbed the victim to the left side of his chest, then cut at his neck, before he jogged away.

When they reached the farm, staff were told by the two men what had happened and the victim was taken to hospital.

Ms Price said the victim was left with superficial lacerations and his injuries were "not nearly as serious as they could have been".

Police identified Spaull via CCTV and he was picked up in Welshpool, where at the police station he was found in possession of two knives – a serrated knife and a kitchen knife.

A personal impact statement from the victim's mother was read to the court which said he had been left traumatised, was now afraid to go on the bus, and had his independence taken away from him.

Spaull was detained under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act hospital order and found to be suffering from a schizophrenic illness. He was deemed fit to plead, and pleaded guilty to the offences in January with sentencing delayed for a number of psychiatric reports to be produced for the court.

His current responsible clinician Dr Marie Savage spoke to the court about his condition, stating that Spaull suffered with ongoing hallucinations and a number of delusions which led to his offending.

Medication had had an affect on reducing his delusional symptoms

Dr Savage said that the public was at serious risk of harm and that if he was detained at Ty Llywelyn a plan could be put in place to protect him and the public.

Paul Hobson, defending Spaull, said his offending was referable to his mental condition and that he had already spent eight months detained.

Judge Timothy Petts made a hybrid Section 37 and 41 hospital order for Spaull to be detained at Ty Llewelyn to protect the public from serious harm, and he will not be released unless and until a specialist tribunal believes he can be, with or without restrictions.

"You were on a bus with two gentleman, pulled out a knife and stabbed the victim to the chest", said Judge Petts.

"The outcome could have been much, much worse.

"Mental illness alone explains why you committed these offences.

"It is clear you have a schizophrenic illness and you are making good progress in Ty Llewelyn. It is appropriate that you are detained in hospital for treatment.

"You won't be released unless a specialist tribunal believes you can be released with or without restrictions. I leave it to the tribunal to decide when you can be released."