A MAN who attempted to kill a doctor who was visiting him at a house in Tewkesbury has been remanded in custody for a psychiatric assessment.
Benjamin Pettitt used "a number of weapons" when he attacked Dr Robert Davis last month, Gloucester Crown Court was told.
The 31-year-old tried to gouge out Dr Davis' eyes, prosecutors said.
Pettitt, of no fixed address, is accused of attempting to murder Dr Davis on that date, after accusing the GP of being part of a conspiracy.
He appeared before the court on Friday via videolink from Hewell Prison, where he is in custody on remand.
Prosecutor Janine Woods said that Pettitt was staying at his grandmother's house, in Cotteswold Road, Tewkesbury, at the time of the alleged attack.
She said that the police had also been on their way to the property when the doctor was called to attend, after worries were raised about Pettitt's actions.
But, due to the timings of reaching the property, Dr Davis arrived first and went in to see Pettitt without any members of the constabulary. His behaviour caused some concern and his GP was called," said Ms Woods.
"The police were also informed due to his irrational behaviour.
Police
"However, the doctor arrived unexpectedly before the police.
"He went into a bedroom where he was allegedly attacked by Mr Pettitt with a number of weapons. The doctor's eyes were gouged.
"He sustained injuries which caused him to be taken to hospital.
"Fortunately, although they were serious injuries, they were not life threatening."
Judge Jamie Tabor QC asked how the doctor was now.
He was told that Dr Davis was "getting there".
Ms Woods said that, when arrested, Pettitt told officers that he believed the doctor was part of a conspiracy.
Judge Tabor said the incident had all the hallmarks of a man with paranoid schizophrenia.
He ordered psychiatric assessment of Pettitt to be undertaken.
Asked by the judge how he is feeling at the moment, Pettitt said he had not slept for the last three nights.
But he told the court that he was receiving a variety of medication in the prison medical block. The judge adjourned the case till June 14. He asked to be given a report on that date on Pettitt's condition and prognosis.