Attacker jailed but released the same day (From Hampshire Chronicle)

Attacker jailed but released the same day

4:16pm Wednesday 17th March 2010 in

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A MAN who pulled a knife has spent the equivalent of two and a half years in prison for the relatively minor assault.

Michael Brewer, 53, of no fixed abode, assaulted a man in an ex-offenders’ hostel near Winchester in November 2008, the city crown court heard.

But his mental health problems delayed sentencing until last Thursday.

Michael Butt, prosecuting, said Brewer pulled a knife on a fellow resident at the Elderfield in Otterbourne.

Mr Butt said Brewer was held on remand in prison and at Ravenswood mental health unit near Fareham.

For much of the 489 days in custody he was unfit to attend court although he pleaded guilty in March 2009 to common assault.

Initially he was considered potentially schizophrenic. Now he was fit enough to attend court but was refusing any psychiatric help of any kind.

Judge Patrick Hooton said: “After all this time and all this trouble and all this delay, he is not considered suitable for a mental health act order.”

The judge said the 489 days spent inside was far longer than the maximum sentence for the offence.

Nick Rowland, mitigating, said: “It is a matter of great regret and sadness that this man has been too unwell to come to court so the case has been adjourned.”

Mr Rowland added Brewer had support from friends who were hoping to help him find somewhere to live in Eastleigh.

Judge Hooton imposed a six month sentence which means Brewer was released the same day. He urged him to seek psychiatric help.