A MAN who was given a psychiatric treatment order after wielding knives in public was back in the dock for the same offence because his psychologist 'went on holiday.'

Adam Matson, of Harpes Road, North Oxford, was first sentenced for three counts of possessing a bladed article in July and made subject to an 18-month community order where he was required to regularly see a psychologist for treatment.

Oxford Crown Court had heard how the 19-year old would ‘hear voices in his head’ which would tell him to arm himself with knives, go outside, and then harm himself.

In each instance the voices then told him to call police, the court heard, which he did before he was quickly arrested.

He appeared at the same court on Thursday to be sentenced for one count of carrying a bladed article.

The court was told he had been receiving weekly therapy but there had been a three-week gap prior to the offence as he had first gone on holiday to France, and then his mental health worker had followed suit by taking a holiday.

Shortly after midday on September 15, and armed with a 4-inch bladed hunting knife, he went to Lucerne Road, Summertown, Oxford.

Jonathan Stone, prosecuting, said that Matson then phoned police and told them he was armed with a knife and made threats that he would harm himself.

They arrived on the scene and he was quickly arrested.

Matson had carried out the three similar offences on April 30, May 2 and May 17.

On those occasions he was arrested having called police in possession of weapons including a kitchen knife and a two-and-a-half-foot-long axe.

Defending, Claire Fraser, said that he had carried out the latest offence after a three-week gap in his treatment for mental health problems.

She said: “This is a young man who requires help rather than going back to [HMP] Bullingdon again where the treatment was not available.

“All was going well apart from this blip.”

Recorder Julian Knowles said: “This is the latest in a spree of similar events, the facts are broadly similar in each case.

“I have read the psychiatric report prepared and clearly you suffer from psychiatric problems.

“The reason this offence was committed was because there was a break in your treatment unfortunate as it was.

“There will come a period when if you keep offending we will say enough is enough.”

Matson was given the same community order handed to him in July – 18 months to include 25 days of a rehabilitation activity requirement and six months of alcohol treatment.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £85 and the knife was forfeited and destroyed.