'SAS' knifeman cleared of attempted murder on grounds of insanity

Knifeman, 30, who told police he was on an SAS mission when he repeatedly stabbed NHS worker, 56, on hospital ward is cleared of attempted murder on grounds of insanity

  • Connolly Mellon stabbed catering worker and father of two George Joseph
  • He told police he was on a special selection procedure for the Special Air Service
  • Mellon was charged with attempted murder and possessing offensive weapon 
  • He was cleared of both charges by reason of insanity and sent to secure hospital

A knifeman who said he was telepathically ordered to kill for an SAS selection mission after repeatedly stabbing an NHS worker on hospital ward has been cleared of attempted murder on grounds of insanity.

Connolly Mellon, 30, made his way into a restricted gynaecology ward at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton at around 8.40am on July 19 last year and produced a folding knife with a four inch blade. 

He repeatedly stabbed catering worker and father of two George Joseph, 56, who collapsed with multiple stab wounds, including one to the neck, but was saved by an emergency medical team.

Mellon escaped from the hospital but was tracked on CCTV and later arrested by police. When he was arrested he told officers he was on a special selection procedure for the Special Air Service and had been told to kill Mr Joseph.

He was charged with attempted murder and possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, but after a two day trial at Lewes Crown Court he was cleared of both charges by reason of insanity and sent to a secure hospital. 

He has been given two Hospital Orders under Sections 37 and 41 of the Mental Health Act committing him to secure hospital detention.

Connolly Mellon, 30, made his way into a restricted gynaecology ward at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton at around 8.40am on July 19 last year and produced a folding knife with a four inch blade

Jurors heard Mr Mellon stabbed George Joseph, pictured, several times on July 19 last year 

Mellon will be held until deemed safe for release by medical experts and, then, separately, by the Secretary of State for Health.

Earlier the court heard Mr Joseph thought he was going to die at the hands of the lone knifeman.

Rowan Jenkins, prosecuting, said: ‘Out of the blue Mr George found himself being attacked from behind. He remembers seeing Mellon’s hand striking down at him and he saw a knife.’

‘Mr George tried to fend off the defendant. He thought he was going to be killed.

‘He was able to get into the ward where he was shocked and bleeding and emergency team was called to treat him.’

Mellon, who had been living with his father, Frank, a mental health nurse, had been on medication for mental health problems.

He told the court in the run-up to the knife attack he had tried to get his son a bed in a secure mental health unit but had been told none were available.

Although he was on medication for early onset psychosis he had stopped taking the tablets.

Earlier the same morning he had been involved in a scuffle with his father saying he was the ‘devil’ and he was trying to kill him.

Mellon escaped from the hospital but was tracked on CCTV and later arrested by police. When he was arrested he told officers he was on a special selection procedure for the Special Air Service and had been told to kill Mr Joseph

The attacker reportedly knifed Mr George on the 11th floor of the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, the court heard (pictured: Armed police at the hospital, July 19)

After donning a khaki jacket, a rucksack and a folding knife he made his way to the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton.

He managed to get to the 11th floor – the gynaecology and orthopaedic wards – an area which has restricted access.

Mr Jenkins said: ‘The hospital was fairly busy with staff caring for patients. Access should be restricted to both of those two wards.’

The jury heard Mr George was was taking orders from patients. He first encountered Mellon in a corridor who asked him where the hospital helipad was.

As he did not appear to be dressed professionally he asked for ID and was shown Mellon’s driving licence.

Mr Jenkins said Mellon walked away down the corridor and approached another member of staff.

‘He was asking her how he could get the helipad,’ he said.’When she asked him who he was he claimed he was part of security.’

He walked off again and bumped into Mr George where he launched the knife attack, stabbing him several times, including once in the neck.

After the attack Mellon escaped on foot but was tracked on CCTV and was confronted by police officers and arrested.

Rowan Jenkins, prosecuting, said Mellon later told police he had been on a SAS mission.

He said: ‘He would go on to tell them he was working for the SAS and he had been involved in a selection process and he gone and done what he was told to do.

‘He said he had been ordered to kill that man by the SAS who were speaking to him telepathically at the time.’

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