A JUDGE has ordered hospital treatment for a man with mental health difficulties from Burnley who stabbed his father 10 days after being released from hospital.

Craig Jackson, 37, was being cared for at his parents’ home in Browhead Road, Burnley, when they became concerned at his condition, the town’s crown court was told.

He had previously been sectioned and was treated in a mental health ward at Burnley General Hospital, but was released on February 13, the court heard.

His mother Barbara became worried about his behaviour, aggravated and contacted mental health officials, said prosecutor Sarah Statham.

He had been drinking and this had reacted badly with his medication, she added.

But her son overheard one of the telephone conversations and became anxious and aggressive, shouting at his mother, accusing her of trying to return him to hospital.

He went to the kitchen and returned with a seven-inch knife and said he was going to kill his father, said Miss Statham.

The court heard that he threw this knife to the floor and went back to the kitchen, where he had picked up a second knife.

Repeating his threat to kill his father, his parents tried to calm him down and he lunged at a wall with the weapon.

The father, Peter Jackson, was trying to shield his wife when he felt a slight pressure on his back, where his son had stabbed him.

The couple then went to a house next door, where they alerted one of their grandsons. The defendant was still behaving aggressively when the grandson went next door.

The father squared up to his son who, fearing more violence would be used, punched him in the face. Police had been called and the father was arrested.

Craig Jackson admitted assaulting his father and was given a hospital order by Judge Simon Newell. An affray charge had been denied and was allowed to remain on the file.

Philip Holden, defending, said: “This is a terribly sad case. The defendant is a man of 37 with no previous convictions.”

Mr Holden said his client, who will be treated at the Alpha Hospital in Bury, accepted he had mental health problems which needed addressing.