Man who attacked public in Blackburn town centre held on remand at secure mental health unit in Preston
A violent man on remand in a secure mental health unit in Preston has objected to his sentence hearing being adjourned for another three months at the city’s Crown Court.
Martin Bennell had expected to hear his fate when he appeared before a judge this week after pleading guilty to two charges of wounding which left one man with a fractured skull and another with glass injuries to his hand.
But Recorder Geoffrey Lowe remanded him in custody until May so a full psychiatric assessment could be carried out.
Bennell, 24, who appeared on a video link from Guild Lodge in Whittingham, told the judge: “I don’t understand why they keep on adjourning it. It’s a bit of a p*** take your honour.”
The court was told two psychiatrists felt it had been appropriate to impose an interim hospital order because Bennell required further assessment.
He was arrested in January after one man in his 40s was hit over the head and knocked to the floor in Blackburn town centre near to the Cathedral. He suffered a fractured skull in the attack.
A second man in his 50s who was stabbed in the hand with a broken bottle during the same incident also required hospital treatment.
Bennell, of St Peter’s Street, Blackburn, was then said to have exposed himself to members of the public before being arrested by police shortly after.
He was charged with two counts of section 18 wounding and one of indecent exposure.
Recorder Lowe told him: “Clearly there is a case for further assessment. You are in Guild Lodge, you will remain there and we will see what the situation is in three months’ time.
“It is in your best interests it is adjourned. It is to ensure that you are being treated and to see what response you have to that treatment.”