A man who tried to cut through the gas pipes in his home before threatening to kill himself has been made subject to a hospital order.

Luke Millen made a number of distressed phone calls to the emergency services and when police arrived, they found him hanging from a window in his Darlington home.

When police entered the property on Eldon Street, they discovered that the 37-year-old had pulled the cooker from the wall before hacking at the gas pipe before turning on one the rings and leaving it unlit.

Teesside Crown Court heard how police evacuated neighbouring properties before persuading the defendant to let the police into his home.

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Victoria Lamballe, prosecuting, said two psychiatric reports had been prepared as the defendant had shown signs of mental health conditions.

The defendant was found guilty of damaging property, being reckless as to whether life would be endangered after telling officers he would 'light a cigarette' to blow up the house.

In police interview he told officers that he ‘didn’t want to hurt anyone else but did want to kill himself’.

Robert Mochrie, representing Millen, urged the judge to follow the recommendations in the psychiatric reports.

Millen, who appeared in court via video-link from Durham Prison, was given a hospital order by Recorder Jeremy Barnett.

The judge said: “I have read all the medical reports and the appropriate course to take is to impose a hospital order. The doctors will decide when you are ready for release.”

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