A 23-year-old man who attacked another man at the house where they both lived in St Albans has been made the subject of a hospital order.

Richard Svagelj picked up a knife and stabbed his victim more than 20 times.

In addition to the hospital order, Judge Andrew Bright QC hearing the case at St Albans Crown Court said in Svagelj's case a restriction order was also necessary.

It means that he will be detained in a secure hospital and only released back into the community when he is deemed to no longer pose a threat to the public.

The court heard how in August 2011 Svagelj was living in Waverley Road, St Albans, in special accommodation for people with mental and physical disabilities.

There were staff on hand to supervise the occupants and Svagelj had his own room.

The court heard Mr Svagelj carried out what was an unprovoked attack on another resident at the home.

Judge Bright said he was satisfied Svagelj had carried out the attack to teach the other man "a lesson" because of some wrong he had mistakenly perceived his victim to have done.

Following his arrest, Svagelj had been charged with wounding his victim intending to cause him grievous bodily harm.

Later he was judged to be unfit to plead to the offence, but the case went before a jury which determined his guilt.

The court was told that since the beginning of the year his behaviour had improved.

However, the view of those treating him was that he could still be prone to unpredictable behaviour.

Judge Bright said after hearing all the evidence that he was satisfied the defendant was suffering from a mental disorder which enabled him to make Svagelj the subject of a hospital order under section 37 of the Mental Health Act.

It means he will continue to receive treatment in hospital.

The judge said that in order to ensure the public were properly protected, he was also making Svagelj the subject of a section 41 restriction order under the Mental Health Act which means he will only be discharged from the hospital when he is judged to no longer pose a threat to others.

He said he was making the restriction order "without limit of time".