Man detained after stab attempt

A paranoid schizophrenic who tried to stab a Devon police officer has been ordered to be detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

The attack happened at a police custody room after Jason Lord, 21, of no fixed address, was arrested for carrying a samurai sword in Paignton.

Lord pleaded not guilty to attempted murder but admitted attempted wounding with intent at Exeter Crown Court.

Judge Graham Cottle described it as a "potentially murderous attack".

Lord was arrested after he was knocked down during a cycle race in Paignton and police officers who went to his aid found the sword.

'Tragedy prevented'

Exeter Crown Court was shown video footage of Lord pulling out the 6in knife in the police custody room and trying to attack Pc Jonathan Croft in the neck.

That knife would have been in the officer's neck had it not been for his incredibly quick reactions and those of his colleagues Judge Graham Cottle

Pc Croft grabbed his arm and two colleagues, one of whom leapt over a counter, overpowered and disarmed him.

Judge Cottle said: "That knife would have been in the officer's neck had it not been for his incredibly quick reactions and those of his colleagues.

"They saved a tragedy from happening."

When interviewed Lord said he did not intend to kill or injure the officer and was trying to show him the knife.

Drug problem

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Adrian James said Lord was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia and had shown a considerable improvement since being admitted to the Butler Clinic at Langdon Hospital.

He was made the subject of a section 37 order under the Mental Health Act with a section 41 order, detaining him without limit as to time.

The court heard Lord had a serious drug problem but was being treated with anti-psychotic medication and would continue that treatment under the hospital order.

Prosecutor Malcolm Galloway said when Lord was arrested and relieved of the sword he told officers that he did not have anything else with him that could harm them or himself.

He was taken to the police station and during the routine search, suddenly pulled out the knife.

The video showed that Lord was calm as he was being searched but as PC Croft stepped behind him he pulled out the knife and tried to stab the officer in the neck.