A TEENAGER who hit a housemate on the head with a hammer and then sank his teeth into his shoulder has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

Szymon Paszek first hit the man from behind with the tool as he talked on the phone and then bit him in the motiveless attack.

Now the 19-year-old, who has been diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenic, has been made subject to a hospital order so he can get treatment.

And the Pole, who has had treatment for mental health problems in his homeland, also had a restriction order imposed on him.

That means it will be harder for him to be freed when his treatment is over and also allows doctors to put conditions on his final release.

Colin Meeke, prosecuting, told Swindon Crown Court that Paszek was living with family and friends in William Street, last summer, having come to the UK looking for work.

His housemates said nothing untoward happened during the day on Monday August 25 but shortly after 4pm he launched the attack.

"The victim was on the phone when he felt a blow to the back of the head. He turned to see the defendant standing over him with a raised claw hammer," he said.

"He called for help. He realised he was bleeding very heavily.

"The police were called. During the course of the struggle with the victim the defendant bit him heavily in the right shoulder causing a wound.

"The police were very quickly on the scene and there was a significant split to the top of his head which was closed by a number of staples and he was given a tetanus shot."

In an impact statement he said the victim observed 'He is a good kid but he clearly needs help'.

Paszek, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding. The court heard he had a previous conviction for possessing a knife.

Mr Meeke said it had been decided not to seek a trial on the more serious charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm in light of the likely sentence.

Richard Williams, defending, said two psychiatric report had been prepared for the court including the clinician responsible for his care at Llanarth Court in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

The court was told that he was suffering from paranoid schizophrenia which was being managed by anti-psychotic medication.

When he was first admitted Paszek would not always take the pills but since they were replaced by injections his condition had stabilised.

Because of that history, the medic said, it would be necessary to have the restriction order to ensure he was medicated should he be released.

Passing sentence Judge Tim Mousley QC said: "I am satisfied, having read the two reports and having heard evidence under oath from a doctor, that the defendant in this case is suffering from a mental disorder: paranoid schizophrenia.

"I am satisfied in these circumstances a hospital order is appropriate to require him to undergo treatment at Llanarth Court Hospital, and I am also satisfied, having heard evidence, that this is an appropriate case for there to be a restriction order bearing in mind the nature of the case and the obvious risk, as it currently stands, of him committing other offences if he is at large."

After passing sentence the judge thanked Mr Williams and his colleagues for their help in the difficult case.

The hearing was delayed on many occasions because the defendant, who has very poor English, refused to talk to lawyers.