Man who stabbed girls is detained

Ian Ruby, 19, attacked Kirsty Edwards, then 17, Charlotte Teague and Sophie Hyne, who were both 14 at the time, in Bridport, Dorset, on 23 August 2006.

Ruby was sentenced at Dorchester Crown Court to an indefinite sentence.

Medical experts said that Ruby suffers from a schizoid personality disorder and Asperger's syndrome.

They said there was a significant overlap between the two.

"He was a time-bomb waiting to explode. Now he will get the help that he needs"
Anita Darby, grandmother of Sophie Hyne

The case had been adjourned five times over a year to assess Ruby's mental state.

Imposing the sentence for public protection, Judge Samuel Wiggs told the court about Ruby's fantasies of rape, torture and murder.

He said Ruby would not be considered for release for four years, minus 457 days he has already spent in custody.

"The prospects for his safe release are very distant to say the least. He will only be released when it is considered safe to do so," Mr Wiggs added.

He also disqualified Ruby from working with children indefinitely.

Ruby, who was unemployed and lived with his mother in Bridport, was caught at St Peter's Hospital in Chertsey, Surrey three days after the stabbings.

He had gone to casualty with a severe cut to his finger, sustained during the attack, and a nurse alerted police.

Ruby admitted three charges of wounding with intent during a hearing at Dorchester Crown Court in November 2006.

He also admitted possessing a knife and a machete at a hospital in Chertsey when he was arrested on 26 August.

Sophie, who is now 16, attended the hearing with her mother, Beci Hyne, and grandmother, Anita Darby.

Outside court, Mrs Darby said: "He was a time-bomb waiting to explode. Now he will get the help that he needs."

Miss Hyne added: "It's very frightening, the thought of what could have happened. It could have been a lot worse."

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