A Liverpool man armed with a large knife attacked an ambulance and threatened to kill the driver.
The ambulance was called out to Webster Road in Wavertree while responding to a concern for safety call. The ambulance crew could not find anybody in the area, and parked up.
Hayder Hameed, 22, then suddenly appeared in front of the emergency vehicle dressed in a camouflage jacket and wielding a big knife. He kicked the front of the ambulance and waved the knife around.
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He punched the window and then hit something 'metallic' against the glass. This prompted the driver to pull away and drive into Lawrence Road, pursued by Hameed.
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A mother taking her young child to school saw Hameed in the road, waving a large knife around. Hameed continued to threaten the ambulance crew. Barrister Jonathon Duffy, prosecuting, told the court that Hameed hurled a torrent of abuse at the ambulance during the drama.
Mr Duffy said: "The defendant approached the ambulance shouting obscenities, threats and abuse. He was seen in possession of a large kitchen knife, about ten inches long.
"He punched the window and threatened to kill the driver. He shouted a number of obscenities, threats and abuse. He kicked the front of the ambulance and damaged the bumper."
Police were called to the scene and Hameed, of Earle Road, was arrested after a brief chase nearby.
Dr Michael Weir, a psychiatrist who assessed Hameed while he was in custody, told the court that the defendant was very poorly. Dr Weir said: "He was one of the most unwell people I have assessed. He showed an intense level of psychosis."
Dr Weir told the court how Hameed 'explained' why he attacked the ambulance. Dr Weir said: "He believed that the hospital was a the centre of paedophile activity where his sister had been abused. He wanted to attack staff. He called the ambulance. He believed the driver had been the one of the abusers."
Dr Weir explained how Hameed suffered from 'bizarre delusions' and 'paranoia.' Dr Weir also told the court that Hameed was "planning to attack Alder Hey hospital".
Dr Weir said that he was "disappointed" to learn that Hameed was in prison and not in hospital. He said: "He should be in a low security unit."
Barrister Andrew McInnes, defending, questioned Dr Weir about his assessment. Dr Weir said: "Society needs the protection. He has a delusional mind and planned to attack people."
The court heard that Hameed, 22, was in HMP Liverpool and not in hospital. Judge David Aubrey said that Hameed should be in a hospital rather than prison.
He said: "We need the National Health Service to find a bed for him. I find this extremely unsatisfactory. I have asked the prison service to investigate this as a matter of urgency."
The incident on Webster Road happened on the morning of September 25 last year. Hameed pleaded guilty to affray and damaging property at a hearing last year. The court heard that Hameed had a criminal record which included convictions for burglary, theft, possession of cannabis, robbery, arson, criminal damage and possession of a knife.
Judge Aubrey adjourned the hearing until May 24. Hameed was remanded into custody.
