A TEENAGER who attacked a 65-year-old Dudley man on his own doorstep in a botched car robbery has been sentenced to an indefinite hospital order in a secure unit.

Tommy Smith left Peter Churm, from Owen Street in Kates Hill, with multiple stab wounds to the back of his head and neck following the assault on February 24 last year.

At one stage the handle of a kitchen knife used by Smith - who was just 17 at the time - snapped off due to the frenzied nature of the attack.

Smith’s attempt to steal a Range Rover parked on the driveway was foiled as Mr Churm bravely fought back and he later fled when the man’s son emerged from the house.

Forensics experts found a partial fingerprint in blood when examining the porch of the house that returned a hit to Smith – who was well-known to police, having clocked up 57 offences as a teenager.

Checks at his home address in nearby Grove Street, Dudley - where he was bound by an overnight curfew following his release from prison for another robbery - uncovered blood-stained bed sheets.

A relative claimed he absconded from the address, and cut off his electronic monitoring tag, due to depression after the death of his grandmother.

But West Midlands Police detectives found Smith on February 26 last year hiding at an address in Netherton; he tried fleeing from officers but was swiftly detained by a police dog.

Smith refused to answer questions during police interview and denied attempted murder on the grounds of insanity.

But having listened to evidence from psychiatrists and Smith himself, a jury at Wolverhampton Crown Court deemed he was responsible for his actions and found him guilty of wounding and burglary.

He was detained indefinitely at a secure hospital with an additional restriction order meaning he can only ever be released if a Mental Health Tribunal deems him no longer a danger to the public.

Detective Constable Pete Miller, the investigating officer in the case, said: "This is a vicious, unprovoked attack which started as an attempt robbery but spiralled into a prolonged assault with a knife.

"The attack caused serious injuries to the man’s neck, head, chest, back and arms; the repeated frenzied stabbing and the prolonged nature of the attack pointed to this being nothing less than an attempt to cause truly grievous injuries.

"We are pleased at the court’s decision, Smith will now been taken out of society for a very long period of time and will only ever be released when mental health experts are satisfied he is no longer a danger to the public.”

A statement issued on behalf of Mr Churm’s family said the attack had left him physically and mentally scarred.

It stated: "Peter Churm is a husband, father and grandfather. He is retired and entitled to enjoy his days in the comfort and safety of his own home, a home where he has raised his family for 28 years. However, due to his health and age he became a vulnerable victim to an unprovoked ferocious near fatal attack.

"As such the violent action of Tommy Smith has wrought havoc upon us all. The attack has changed the way we view our lives hereon. We are a family still attempting to come to terms with such savagery. It is however, extremely difficult still for us to see an end.

"Following today’s verdict we are thankful Mr Smith is no longer free to be able to inflict this emotional and physical torment upon any other innocent member of the community. We are relieved we can attempt to look to the future.

"We remain indebted to all medical staff, who we feel undoubtedly saved his life. We also thank the police officers and prosecuting agency for their hard work, commitment and support through this difficult time.”