A man released from a mental hospital despite attacking a nurse went on to beat a Pembrokeshire estate agent with a claw hammer, a court heard on Monday.

Ben Weatherall, aged 21, carried out the second attack within weeks of being sent home by the St Davids psychiatric hospital in Carmarthen, where he had been referred by a doctor.

Paul Thomas, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court that just before Christmas, Weatherall stabbed nursing assistant Lee Summers in the neck with a broken figure from a hospital Nativity scene.

Weatherall was restrained by other members of staff and Mr Summers escaped with minor injuries.

Weatherall was released from hospital and returned home to Main Street, Pembroke.

A few weeks later he walked into Frank B. Mason estate agency on Main Street armed with a claw hammer.

An assistant asked if she could help and he mumbled something, explained Mr Thomas.

Then he suddenly launched an unprovoked attack on estate agent Andrew Davies.

Weatherall hit him to the front of the head and then landed two more blows to the back of the head before Mr Davies was able to grapple with him.

As staff screamed hysterically two passers-by saw what was happening and rushed to help. They managed to get Weatherall outside and pinned him to the bonnet of a car. But when he stopped struggling they released their grip and Weatherall was able to get free.

Five hours later police spotted him by a comprehensive school and arrested him.

Mr Davies was taken to Withybush Hospital, bleeding profusely from three head injuries.

Mr Thomas said Weatherall refused to answer any questions and at subsequent court hearings had refused to leave his cell and sit in open court.

But eventually he pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and wounding with intent.

Dr Tegwyn Williams, a consultant forensic psychiatrist, said Weatherall suffers from schizophrenia and other psychotic mental disorders, partly as the result of long-term substance abuse.

Judge Gerald Price was urged to make an order detaining Weatherall under the Mental Health Act but he wanted to know how securely he would be detained.

Dr Williams said Weatherall would be held at the Caswell Clinic in Bridgend, behind two sets of airlocked doors. Judge Price granted the order.