A former prisoner has pleaded with a judge for counselling rather than being forced to take psychiatric drugs.

Court services applied to have a supervision order extended for Eli Hill, 38, because he had been refusing to take medication prescribed by doctors at the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute.

He had also refused blood tests to monitor his health.

Hill’s six-year supervision order was granted in November, 2009 as part of his probation after his release from prison.

He was jailed in 2004 for attacking a woman who was riding her bike home in the rain. When she slowed down to go through a puddle, Hill grabbed her coat and slashed her face, leaving three extensive cuts.

He told Justice Carlisle Greaves he had been refusing to take his medication because of “extreme side effects”.

“My whole left side was numb, my hands swelled up, my toes are curling back, my feet are hurting. I got welts.” Hill told the Supreme Court. “I’m begging these people to stop the medication. No cognitive intervention programmes have been given. If I’m so mentally ill and incapable of living in the community why are there no classes in place? Where is the help they claim they are giving me? They’re bombarding me with medication.”

Judge Greaves told Hill he should agree to a blood test as that would determine what was causing the side effects, if there were any.

He did not extend the supervision order but amended it with an order that he attend the Mental Health Court, saying judges there would monitor his case and consult with his doctors about therapy programmes.

“If you don’t comply they’ll come down on you very tough and will send you right back here,” Judge Greaves said. “The judge is going to decide whether you can continue to roam in public or go to jail and stay there. I don’t want to have to lock you up.”

Hill is due to attend the Mental Health Court on Wednesday, with frequent return visits to be determined.