MENTAL health chiefs in Ipswich today refused to comment about why a delusional patient was allowed a weekend pass before launching an unprovoked attack on another man.

MENTAL health chiefs in Ipswich today refused to comment about why a delusional patient was allowed a weekend pass before launching an unprovoked attack on another man.

Jason Read, who was in the care of St Clement's Hospital, slammed his victim's head into a fence and the ground during an unprovoked assault near the town's railway station.

The 21-year-old has since been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and is currently being treated at a Norwich hospital.

Ipswich Crown Court heard Read said he acted in self defence, because he believed the stranger he attacked was carrying an invisible knife.

Zbigniew Sokolowski was saved from serious injury because an off-duty British Transport Police constable, helped by other officers, restrained Read.

Sentencing Read for actual bodily harm, Judge Peter Thompson ordered that he be detained in hospital.

However, following the hearing St Clement's Hospital declined to say why Read was allowed out on a 48-hour pass.

A spokesman said: We feel unable to comment at the present time.”