A BLACKBURN man who launched a brutal attack on the head verger at the town’s cathedral – believing he was facing the Grim Reaper – has been sent to a secure mental hospital.

Mark Pickering was left with two broken ribs and a fractured elbow after being set upon by James Desmond Brewin, who was experiencing visual hallucinations.

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Brewin, who was sectioned under the Mental Health Act following the violence, appeared for sentencing at Preston Crown Court after admitting causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Pickering.

The 25-year-old defendant was given a hospital order with restrictions, meaning he cannot be released without the agreement of his psychiatrist and Secretary of State for Justice.

An earlier hearing at Blackburn magistrates was told Mr Pickering, then 36, who knew Brewin, had asked if he could help, on the day of the attack.

Prosecutor Andrew Robinson told the court: “Brewin said, ‘What is she doing here?’ and when Mr Pickering looked over he was punched to the face. He fell to the floor and was then punched and kicked repeatedly. He needed hospital treatment for his injuries.

Paul Huxley, defending, said Brewin accepted what he had done but he was a ‘mixed-up individual’ at the time and was having visual hallucinations, due to his mental health condition.

The court heard that Brewin bore no ill will towards Mr Pickering and had later been ‘extremely upset’ about what he had done.

Brewin was told by magistrates they had ‘great sympathy’ but Mr Pickering had been undertaking public duties at the time.