Man attacked Ludgershall neighbour with a hammer during psychosis

Tom Seymour, 53, of Galahad Close in Andover, pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place at Salisbury Magistrates' Court on Thursday, September 14.

The former builder was living at a flat in Abbatt Close, Ludgershall, when his 67-year-old neighbour William Taylor heard shouting coming from outside in the early hours of November 1, 2022.

Seymour, who had been drinking, discovered a bottle on top of his car and believed his neighbours were "trying to bait him", knowing his neighbours understand psychosis can "overtake him".

Mr Taylor went to investigate the noise, told Seymour to "shut the f*** up" and, in response, the defendant hurled insults and threatened to "f***ing kill" his neighbour.

Abbatt Close in Ludgershall. (Image: Google Maps)

Seymour walked into the building and as he approached his flat he became aware of someone behind him and thought Mr Taylor had something in his hand.

Matthew George, defending, told the court how Seymour was "in full psychosis" at this point and had "limited awareness of his actions because of his mental health".

His schizoaffective disorder was not being treated at the time of the attack because Seymour had not been diagnosed.

Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, said Mr Taylor then saw the defendant outside near the bins "shouting at him".

"[Mr Taylor] tries to walk away and sees he has a claw hammer. The defendant swings a number of times and struck him twice in the back and knee," Mr Nightingale added.

Mr Taylor sustained bruising but no significant injury and restrained Seymour until he calmed down and the police arrived to arrest him.

The court heard how police had received a total of 70 callouts to see and speak to Seymour during his time in Abbatt Close.

"The majority of the time police see it for what it is, a man struggling with mental health," Mr George said.

Salisbury Law Courts. (Image: Newsquest)On May 24, 2022, police attended the flat and checked Seymour over but found lock knives in the pocket of his work jacket.

Seymour was arrested and convicted of possessing a bladed article in a public place.

In mitigation, Mr George said: "It is odd for a man to become first convicted of a weapon offence at the age of 53. All his working life he had been a builder and had his own company."

Seymour had been employing people up until 2014 when he developed psychosis causing his business and marriage to fail and "his life fell apart".

Since being diagnosed with a psycho-affective disorder, Seymour has moved to Andover to escape an environment that was "toxic for him" and he has not had any more "outbursts".

Mr George said: "It was the boiling cauldron of his location that was doing no good for anybody. He is now properly medicated and he is feeling so much better."

Presiding Justice Timothy Foster said: "We’re not going to send you to prison today. The normal circumstances are a second offence of possessing a bladed article does require a prison sentence but we do find in this case that there are exceptional circumstances not to do so.

"There was no indication of using the knife as a weapon compounded with an undiagnosed and untreated mental illness. There is a real prospect of you getting real help. These circumstances are genuinely exceptional."

Seymour was sentenced to an 18-month community order that involved 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, he must pay £319 and magistrates ordered for the hammer to be destroyed.

Mr Foster said no compensation would be awarded as there was an "element of provocation".