A MAN who carried out a seaside stabbing at Morecambe has been placed in a hospital secure unit for an indefinite period.

Albert Oszmianski attacked another man with a heavy-duty kitchen knife after earlier telling him: "You're dead.

I'm going to kill you."

But fortunately for his victim, the weapon did not cut any internal artery or organs near the stomach.

Oszmianski, 39, of Clarendon Road, Morecambe, was made the subject of a hospital order, without limit of time, when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

He had a previously admitted a charge of wounding with intent.

The court heard he had a very serious mental health illness, including delusions that he needed to defend himself.

Miss Katherine Pierpoint, prosecuting, said Oszmianski had only known the other man, Gary Turner, since just before the attack in July last year.

Mr Turner's partner had become concerned by Oszmianski's increasingly strange behaviour.

He had moved to the West End area of Morecambe and she had remonstrated on seeing him apparently take a charity leaflet from her letterbox.

Mr Turner intervened and blows were exchanged.

The next day on Morecambe promenade they saw the defendant.

Oszmianski left stating 'you're dead.

I' m going to kill you.'

Later he walked up to Mr Turner and delivered what first seemed to be a punch.

However, a knife was then spotted.

Mr Turner slumped to the ground, bleeding heavily.

The defendant was traced to his Clarendon Road flat where he was trying to cut off handfuls of his long hair.

The knife used in the attack was nearby.

Mr Patrick Thompson, defending, told the court that doctors had established Oszmianski was suffering from a mental illness.

He had been carrying the knife for his own protection, following previous encounters.

He had merely intended to ward off the other man, though that went beyond reasonable force in the circumstances.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Openshaw QC, said he accepted the expert opinion that Oszmianski had a serious mental illness.

A hospital order was needed for the protection of the public.