6:13pm Wednesday 17th March 2010
A MAN who pulled a knife has been given a six-month prison sentence – but was released immediately because he has spent more than a year in custody on remand.
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 .
Michael Butt, prosecuting, said Brewer pulled a knife on a fellow resident at 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 Brewer was considered potentially schizophrenic.
He was now fit enough to attend court but was refusing any psychiatric help of any kind.
Judge Patrick Hooton 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 that this man has been too unwell to come to court so the case has been adjourned.”
Judge Hooton imposed a six-month sentence which meant Brewer was released the same day. He urged him to seek psychiatric help.
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