A PARANOID schizophrenic who stabbed a man to death because he thought he was being laughed at could be detained at Ashworth Hospital - home to Moors murderer Ian Brady.

Dean Hickey, of Toll Bar Road, Orford, is expected to be sectioned to the Liverpool mental hospital after he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Lesley Brown at Warrington Crown Court on Monday.

Mentally ill Hickey, aged 44, was originally charged with murder but changed his plea to the lesser crime at the last minute on the grounds of diminished responsibility due to personality disorder.

The 50-year-old victim was stabbed to death by Hickey on September 28 on Chiltern Road, Orford, after believing that the dead man and another woman were laughing at him.

The court heard that Judge Elgin Edwards would now have to decide whether to sentence Hickey to an indefinite stay in a mental hospital as an alterative to prison following concerned reports from two psychologists.

Judge Edwards said: "We will see what availability Ashworth Hospital and the Scott Clinic has.

"This is far from a normal case.

"This man is very dangerous and the appropriate steps should be taken.

"I offer my sincere condolence to the family of the deceased, this was a tragedy."

Patrick Curran, prosecuting, told the court Hickey has a long-term history of mental illness after being diagnosed a paranoid schizophrenic in 1991.

Mr Curran added: "And lapses when not taking medication have seen a sudden and violent change.

"A hospital order indefinitely could be an option if a bed is available."

Ashworth Hospital has held the Moors murderer since the mid 1980s when he was declared insane.

Hickey will remain in custody until his sentencing date, which has yet to be set.

beckykelly@guardiangrp.co.uk