Kettering knifeman detained in hospital after horror attack

A Kettering man who grabbed a knife and attacked his mum must be detained in hospital, a judge has ruled.

Joseph Rush, who has schizophrenia, was deemed such a risk to the public that he cannot leave a secure psychiatric unit without the approval of the the Ministry of Justice.

Yesterday (Tuesday) Northampton Court Court heard Rush, formerly of Highfield Road, visited his mum's home in Kettering on May 7 last year despite a restraining order which was in place.

He forced his way into the house and went after his mum, who had tried to barricade herself in a bedroom.

Sentencing, His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo said: "He then took a knife and set about injuring her in a very significant way."

No further details about the attack or the victim's recovery were heard in court yesterday.

Rush, 39, was found in the street by police and co-operated after he was arrested, originally on suspicion of attempted murder.

He was taken to custody where he was found to be mentally unwell.

Rush was then diagnosed with the serious mental disorder, which he is being treated for at a medium secure psychiatric hospital in Leicester.

Psychiatrist Dr Gareth Garrett told the court the offence was "at least in part" due to his mental disorder but that Rush still denies it happened.

He said: "If set at large the risk of a repeat incident would be unacceptably high in my view."

Rush did not appear in the dock yesterday as he was unfit to attend.

Last month after a trial of facts - a type of trial held when a defendant is unfit to plead - a jury determined he did the acts of wounding with intent and breaching a restraining order.

Judge Mayo sentenced Rush to a hospital order with a Section 41 restriction under the Mental Health Act to protect the public.

It means he cannot be moved to a different hospital, granted leave or discharged without the consent of the Secretary of State for Justice or through a mental health tribunal.