A schizophrenic who launched a frenzied knife attack on a woman has been detained indefinitely at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute.

Alan Robinson repeatedly stabbed Vernica Tucker in the chest and abdomen, leaving the knife in her chest during an unprovoked attack in which he also assaulted his housemate, Kevin Arorash, in December 2012.

In April, jurors at the Supreme Court unanimously found Robinson guilty of attempted murder, possessing a bladed article and assaulting Mr Arorash.

The conviction came despite two psychiatrists from MWI agreeing that Robinson was insane at the time of the offence.

Last week, Puisne Judge Charles-Etta Simmons invoked provisions under the Mental Health Act that allow for Robinson to be detained indefinitely to receive treatment for his mental health problems, rather than sentencing him to a term of imprisonment.

Robinson’s lawyer, Saul Dismont, welcomed the sentence but lamented how long the process had taken.

“At long last the case has been disposed of,” Mr Dismont said.

“Despite the jury finding Mr Robinson guilty, Section 33 of the Mental Health Act still allows the court to detain a person to a hospital for treatment instead of sending them to prison.

“Having heard evidence from psychiatrist Dr Farquhar, Justice Simmons was satisfied that Mr Robinson was suffering from mental illness and that it is of a nature or degree to warrant admission to a hospital indefinitely.”

In July 2013, Robinson was detained indefinitely at Westgate Correction Facility after being found unfit to stand trial on the charges.

A Supreme Court jury found that he was not fit to plead to any of the charges because of his mental illness.

Puisne Judge Carlisle Greaves ordered he be detained at Westgate “until such time as the Governor’s discretion is known” — meaning no date was set for his release. Robinson had been remanded in custody at Westgate since the order was made until he stood trial in April.

Mr Dismont added: “It is such a shame that it has taken over 3½ years to get him there. In that time he has been kept in a prison cell for 22 to 23 hours a day.

“Thankfully now that mental health has been included in the Human Rights Act no one should be treated like that in the future.

“With offenders receiving appropriate treatment, the public are far better protected than just locking offenders up until they are released again years later in even worse condition and more prone to offend.”

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