Man saw 'ghost,' court heard

Kane James Duncan, who works in a local Poundshop store, lost all touch with reality, the court heard on Thursday, February 27.
Ann Sawyer-Brandish, prosecuting, said the 21-year-old’s mother was woken by her son, demanding: “Mum, Mum, can you see it?”
She added: “He was pointing to the bathroom, saying there was a ghost. His mother could see there was something not right with her son and managed to run from the flat and hide in a communal area.
“When she returned, the bathroom window was smashed and witnesses later saw this defendant, walking in the middle of the road with a knife.”
He told one witness that his mother had been murdered, the court heard.
But when police arrived, Mr Duncan readily put down the blade he was carrying, magistrates were told.
Mr Duncan, of Spring Gardens, Newbury, admitted causing criminal damage and possessing a bladed article on December 10 last year.
He also admitted stealing a phone in an unrelated incident on October 1, 2012.
Thomas Kalber, defending, said his client had taken the knife for his own protection having “completely lost the plot.”
He said the offences happened in Slough, where Mr Duncan’s mother lives, and pointed out his client had severely damaged the tendons in his wrists when smashing his hands through the bathroom glass.
Mr Kalber added: “He was completely berserk. However, he was not on drink or drugs and psychiatrists say it was an isolated episode, not a long-term problem.”
Presiding magistrate Antoinette Jackson asked: “Is he getting medical assistance? This was a very alarming episode.”
Mr Kalber replied: “Not as far as I’m aware.”
Mr Duncan was made subject to a 12 month community order with supervision requirement and ordered to pay a £60 statutory surcharge.