A 26-year-old patient of the Bellevue Hospital who slashed the tyres of a truck at a stop light, was brought before the court yesterday.

The accused man, Kadean Henry, appeared in the Corporate Area Resident Magistrate's Court to answer to charges of malicious destruction of property.

He pleaded guilty to the charges and had his bail extended until April 29. Henry is said to be a repeat offender and suffers from the mental illness, psychosis, for which he has been receiving treatment at the Bellevue Hospital.

On April 10, Henry was arrested by the police after he slashed the tyres of a J. Wray and Nephew truck which stopped at the intersection of Half-Way Tree Road and Balmoral Avenue.

The driver of the truck stated that while he waited for the light to change, he saw a man approaching the rear of the vehicle. Shortly after, an explosion was heard and Henry was seen running away with a knife in his hand. He was chased and later apprehended by the police and onlookers.

Henry defended himself by informing the court that he takes his medication irregularly and had not taken it on the day of the incident. His sister pleaded his case and told the court that she had asked the hospital to substitute her brother's oral medication with daily injections instead. She said that such a change would ensure that he receives his medication regularly.

A new mention date was set in the case because the complainant was not present in court to provide an estimate of the damages incurred.