A man who was stabbed by a hospital patient suffering from mental illness has slammed the system which let his attacker back into the community.

Tariq Hussain, of Queensberry Road, Burnley, was stabbed in the hand at his home by Gavin Willis after he was discharged from Burnley General Hospital.

Willis, 35, of no fixed address, was given a life sentence at Preston Crown Court after pleading guilty to a charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

On April 27, last year, Mr Hussain and his partner, who is Willis' sister, were at home when Willis turned up. After a confrontation Willis produced a knife and thrust it through Mr Hussain's left hand.

The court was told Willis had suffered from a long period of psychiatric ill-health.

He was seen by a psychiatrist on April 20, but allowed back into the community.

Two days before the attack he went to the casualty department at Burnley saying he had been talking to the Prophet and was reporting increasing symptoms of psychiactric illness. He was sent home.

Mr Hussain said Willis should have been offered help by medical staff and not left to "wander the streets."

He said, "During the attack I was very concerned because I lost a lot of blood -- it was shocking. It is a very delicate issue because his sister is my partner and he's been ill for a long time.

"I really believe something is wrong with the system. More should be done to help people with mental health problems."

A spokesman for Burnley General Hospital said:,"We can confirm that Mr Willis attended that Accident and Emergency ward on April 20.

"He was seen by a psychiatrist who decided he did not require to be detained, but that he would receive follow-up treatment in the community."