Resident knifed in his own kitchen by stranger who let himself in
Victim had been watching football on TV when confronted by schizophrenic
A resident was attacked with one of his own kitchen knives after a stranger entered his home.
Dale Hampton was found in the kitchen of the property in Pontefract when he lunged at the victim.
The 37-year-old, who suffers hallucinations, was detained in a secure hospital after admitting Section 20 GBH.
Prosecuting the case at Leeds Crown Court, Maya Hanson said the victim had been sat in his garden listening to music on the evening of July 10, 2024, when Hampton appeared at his back gate and asked him if he wanted to buy any steaks.
The man agreed, invited him into the garden to give him the money and then gave him a drink. They chatted and half an hour later, Hampton left.
But a short time later, the man was watching the Euros semi-final between England and the Netherlands on TV.
He got up to fix himself a drink and walked into the kitchen to find Hampton stood there.
Hampton swung a punch at the man then picked up a knife and slashed him to the arm. He was also struck to the chest and was left with a cut to his nose. Hampton then fled.
The man required hospital treatment for the 6cm knife cut to his arm.
Hampton, of no fixed address, was later arrested and refused to answer police questions.
He pleaded guilty to the GBH on the day he was due to stand trial, having been detained in a secure unit.
He has 40 previous convictions for 114 offences, including three for violence.
A psychiatrist gave evidence during the sentencing hearing confirming that Hampton suffered from schizophrenia that manifested in persecutory and delusional beliefs, as well as auditory hallucinations that led to “bizarre” behaviour.
She said that Hampton had “struggled in the community for many years” and had periods of homelessness.
She recommended he be given a hospital order.
No mitigation was offered by his barrister after Judge Ray Singh agreed to the order.
Judge Singh told Hampton, who appeared in court over a link from the secure hospital: “It was bizarre and unpleasant behaviour. For whatever reason, a violent incident took place.
“You did cause serious injuries.”
He gave him a Section 37 hospital order with Section 41 restrictions, meaning Hampton will be detained in a psychiatric unit rather than prison, and his eventual release can only be sanctioned by the secretary of state with no timescale attached.