A further hospital order has been put in place to temporarily accommodate a man convicted of stabbing a stranger in an unprovoked bar assault.
Rory Witten was convicted of attempted murder and possessing a bladed article, arising from a sudden attack on a fellow drinker at Bar Bloo, in Sunderland, on the evening of Sunday February 13, last year.
The 41-year-old defendant had been drinking in various licensed premises in both Seaham and then in Sunderland city centre, before going to Bar Bloo.
He was asked to leave after throwing a pool cue in anger.
Read more: Seaham man was convicted of Sunderland attempted murder
Witnesses said he had also claimed to have been an MMA fighter, but one onlooker believed he was, “just talking rubbish”.
But, without warning, he was then said to have taken out a knife from his coat pocket and slashed another customer across the throat.
The victim, a 48-year-old Sunderland man, lost two litres of blood and needed life-saving surgery, but survived thanks to rapid surgical intervention at hospital.
Witten, of Stavordale Street, in Seaham, denied both charges arising from the attack but was found guilty following a trial at Newcastle Crown Court, in October.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Stephen Morris, warned Witten he faced, “a substantial” prison sentence.
Read more: Seaham man was convicted of Sunderland attempted murder
But in the light of the findings of medical and probation reports the court has sought to opt for a sentence under the Mental Health Act.
Psychiatrists who have examined the defendant believe he suffers from a mental health disorder.
Subsequent interim orders have been passed to allow Witten to be detained at a medium secure mental health facility near York.
Read next:
Rory Witten in court for attempted murder in Sunderland
Seaham man Rory Witten guilty of stabbing in Bar Bloo, Sunderland
Attempted murder after stabbing at Bar Bloo in Sunderland
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Following a further mention in the case at the court, today, a further interim order was passed by Judge Morris.
But it is hoped that following a final assessment and report the defendant can be sentenced at a hearing in October.
Matthew Bean, for the Crown, and Ian Mullarkey, for Witten, agreed and the case was further adjourned until September 8, with a hearing provisionally pencilled in for sentence by Judge Morris, on October 9.
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