Son who attacked dad with metal bar at Leeds home detained for his own safety
A son who viciously attacked his own father with a metal pole before turning on a neighbour has been given a hospital order rather than a prison sentence.
Daniel Dickinson is most likely suffering from paranoid schizophrenia, according to two separate psychiatrists.
The 36-year-old was deemed unfit to stand trial at Leeds Crown Court so a trial of fact was held in his absence in November.
A jury heard the evidence and found that Dickinson had committed Section 18 GBH with intent and an affray.
His father had gone to Dickinson’s home on Compton Crescent, Burmantofts, to assist with repairs to the property.
There was a verbal disagreement as the father was about to leave. Dickinson, who had the bar in his hand, struck him twice around the head and then to his arm.
The strikes “caused significant wounds”, the court heard. Dickinson then went outside and began shouting at a neighbour.
By this time Dickinson had hold of a brick wrapped in a tea towel. He grabbed the neighbour and pushed her into a car.
Dickinson appeared for sentencing in court over a video link from a secure hospital. It was heard that he had been offered a bed at a low-security hospital in Bradford.
It was recommended by both psychiatrists who had assessed Dickinson that he should be put under a hospital order.
Judge Simon Batiste followed the recommendation and gave him the order inl line with the Mental Health Act under section 37 with section 41 restrictions.
This means he is detained in a psychiatric unit rather than prison, and his eventual release can only be sanctioned by the secretary of state.