THE killer of Winchester man Carl Scott is a danger to the public and must be held in hospital until he is safe to be released.

David Gray smashed an axe in Mr Scott's head and stabbed him multiple times in February 2017. His body lay undiscovered in Thurmond Court, Stanmore, until the following month.

Gray denied murder but a trial at Winchester was dropped because his mental health made him unfit to plead. Last month a jury decided that Gray had killed Mr Scott.

Sentencing, Judge Jane Miller QC said it was a brutal attack and Gray had left Mr Scott to die. "Psychiatrists say you are a future risk of causing serious harm. You have auditory hallucinations instructing you to commit violent acts. The risk to the public is high.

"It was a violent and brutal murder. The likelihood of committing further offences is very high indeed especially as you are unlikely to take medication and your illicit drug use.

"The question is whether the public need protection. The public most certainly do."

The hospital order means Gray will only be released if doctors deem him fit and if a mental health tribunal agrees.

Mr Scott's mother Molly Child read a victim impact statement. With her mother and Carl's father, she was given special dispensation to sit in the jury box instead of the public gallery and stood to address her words to Gray in the dock. She said her son's death had changed her life and even made her consider suicide.

"I can't socialise with friends. I can't go out in the dark. I have to work in the lunch hour in winter. I can't walk in Winchester without becoming upset thinking Carl was once here, sometimes thinking I have seen him alive and well.

"I miss him daily with my broken heart. My counsellor said David Gray has taken Carl's life, don't let him take yours. Unfortunately, so far you have."

Consultant psychiatrist Amit Chatterjee, based at Thornford Park Hospital in Reading, told the court that Gray is a paranoid schizophrenic.

Dr Chatterjee said there had been some improvement in his health recently but he still had auditory hallucinations, was paranoid and irritable and often refused to take medication.

Gray, who appeared in court in dark trousers, a white shirt, red tie and sleeveless jacket. He wore a flat cap which he took off as he entered the court from the cells.

Asked to confirm his name he said: "Carl Scott was my kidnapper."