Schizophrenic knifeman given indefinite hospital order

Judge says prison would be "worst place" for him

A paranoid schizophrenic has been given an indefinite hospital order following a knife rampage in Plymouth.

Mareez Bachu, 23, of Ebrington Street, in this city pleaded guilty in February to unlawful wounding, possession of a bladed article in a public place, assaulting a police officer, and affray.

Now a judge at Truro Crown Court has sent him to a secure hospital under Section 37 of the Mental Health Act.

Mr Bachu, who was aged 20 at the time of the incident, stabbed a man with a kitchen knife he had concealed in a pizza box, and threatened other people.

His victim is still recovering from his injuries, which included a collapsed lung, sustained in the attack on Belgrave Road in the early hours of 8 April 2022.

During a four-day trial, the jury heard from two psychiatrists who explained how r Bachu had paranoid schizophrenia.

He was found not guilty of attempted murder and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The court was shown CCTV footage which showed a man approaching shop workers at a Premier Stores. One employee managed to protect himself with a mop handle and a sign. Footage then showed Bachu turning on three men who entered the shop before chasing them out onto the street.

Another man, who was walking home from work, was then confronted by Bachu who chased him along the street. Bachu was seen catching up with the victim and plunging a knife into his abdomen.

The victim was stabbed twice before managing to push Bachu away as other members of the public came to the victim’s aid. He was rushed to hospital with potentially life-threatening injuries including a collapsed lung and perforated diaphragm. 

Mr Bach slashed out towards police officers when they arrived and was sprayed with an incapacitant before he dropped the knife.

He was remanded at Langdon Hospital, a psychiatric service which provides secure mental health services.

Acting detective sergeant Andrew Trott-Rodgers said: “Our thoughts remain with the victim as he continues to recover from the lasting effects of his injuries. His life has not been the same.

“I also wish to highlight the actions of those present that night who put themselves in danger to avoid any further harm coming to the victim."

He continued:“Thankfully, officers arrived at the scene and as highlighted by the judge, reacted with immense courage in confronting Bachu who was still waving the knife around. Their act prevented further risk to the victim and to others.

“Bachu will now remain in a safe place to get the treatment he needs.”

On sentencing, Judge Simon Carr noted that there was no dispute that Bachu carried out the attack but that the level of his delusion and paranoia was so great that he was too ill to have formed the intent to have carried out the offences.

Judge Carr said that the worst possible place for Bachu would be a prison where his medical compliance would not be the same as in a secure hospital and his deterioration would be inevitable.