A MAN found to have stabbed his neighbour has been given a hospital order by way of punishment.

Stephen Parnell, 45, initially denied wounding David Travis with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm. It followed an incident in a block of flats at Briarcote, Kirkby Stephen in October, 2015, at a time when both men were living there.

Doctors ultimately concluded Parnell was unfit to stand trial. A hearing went ahead in his absence at Carlisle Crown Court in November. Jurors who listened to evidence concluded, unanimously, that Parnell committed the stabbing.

He was said to have plunged a blade into the chest of Mr Travis, who was wounded and required hospital treatment.

At the crown court today, Judge Tony Lancaster heard medical experts had concluded Parnell was suffering from a serious psychiatric illness.

Doctors who had assessed him agreed that a hospital order - instead of a prison sentence - was the most suitable disposal of the case. A hospital bed was said to be available.

Judge Lancaster made the hospital order for an indefinite period. He also imposed a further order to restrict the circumstances of Parnell's release to protect the public.