'Unstable' knifeman jailed for life

Harrison had been out alone 300 times before

A psychiatric patient who held a father-of-two at knifepoint after absconding from a secure hospital has been jailed for life.

Convicted rapist Michael Harrison broke into Adrian Todd's home in Bilborough, Nottingham, in the middle of the night.

Harrison, 45, jumped on to his bed and threatened him with two knives as Mr Todd's children slept in a neighbouring room.

He forced Mr Todd to hand over cash, a mobile phone and his car keys and then fled in his car - but was apprehended shortly afterwards.

'Let down'

At the time of the break-in Harrison, formerly of Bilborough, had failed to return after being granted day release from Leicester's Arnold Lodge secure unit.

The public "need protection" from Harrison

He had been receiving treatment there following his conviction for rape in 1988, Nottingham Crown Court was told.

Martin Elwick, defending, said Harrison, who admitted aggravated burglary, felt "let down by the system".

He said he had absconded from the hospital because he was frustrated that no-one could agree on how best to rehabilitate him.

Judge Christopher Pitchers, passing sentence, said Harrison was an "unstable character" from whom the public needed protection.

Arnold Lodge said he had successfully completed more than 300 periods of unescorted leave before he absconded in August last year.