A MAN with a personality disorder must remain at a secure hospital near York, a judge has ruled.

The Recorder of York, Judge Paul Batty QC granted a restriction order against John Mead after he assaulted a fellow patient at Stockton Hall.

Mead, 31, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting attacking Michael Innes with a plastic cutlery knife on November 11, 2014 at an earlier hearing.

Doctors at Stockton Hall in Stockton-on-the-Forest said Mead's condition meant he should remain at the secure hospital.

Judge Batty said: "This is a serious and sad case. Although the patient and defendant, John Mead, faces a charge of common assault only, that is in relation to the injury sustained.

"The assault used a weapon and was a very serious one. The background history is set out in the evidence given to this court.

"In order to protect the public from the risk of serious harm from the defendant, this is a case where a restriction order without limit under section 41 of the Mental Health Act will be needed."