A MAN who threatened to "'chop off" his neighbours' heads with an axe during a disturbance has been detained under the Mental Health Act.

John Wellings, of Ellesmere, was shouting and swearing issued threats to 'kill everyone' forcing armed police to evacuate the town centre.

Neighbours windows were smashed in Scotland Street and there was a 90-minute stand-off before police were able to pacify 36-year-old Wellings and get him to leave his flat.

At Shrewsbury Crown Court last week Wellings, a paranoid schizophrenic, was detained under Section 45 of the Mental Health Act.

The court heard that Wellings had been taken to St George’s Hospital in Stafford following his arrest in November last year where he was treated by the intensive care team.

Judge Anthony Lowe agreed that Wellings should remain at the hospital for the foreseeable future after doctors recommended the defendant's treatment for his mental health issues and drug habit should continue rather than him being jailed.

Wellings, of Scotland Street, had admitted offences of assault causing actual bodily harm to Gareth Roberts and making threats with a blade in a public place at an earlier hearing.

Mr Simon Rippon, prosecuting, said officers were first called on November 14 last year after Wellings smashed glass in the front door of a neighbour’s home.

The incident escalated, resulting in a 90-minute stand-off between officers and the defendant who was shouting and swearing.

Mr Rippon said that the defendant and Mr Roberts had previously been friends with the defendant, but had fallen out the previous year.

He said Mr Roberts and his teenage daughter were in their living room when they heard banging on their front door and ranting with Wellings saying he was “going to kill everyone”.

“Mr Roberts moved to stand just inside the front door. At this point two panes of glass were shattered by the defendant. The glass fell on Mr Roberts’ face causing cuts," he said.

The police were called and the defendant returned to this flat where he played loud music.

At this point a friend of Mr Robert's family called round and as he was leaving Wellings had approached him holding a large axe.

Mr Rippon said the defendant said 'I’m going to smash you across the face' and turning to Mr Roberts’ daughter said: “I’m going to chop your heads off”.

The police were called again and went to Wellings address and spoke to him through a window.

During the hour-and-a-half stand-off Wellings was abusive and shouted threats including that he would "kill people" and "kill the police dogs."

Mr Paul Smith, for Wellings, said his client recognised that the view of the psychiatrists would be very persuasive to the court.

"He doesn't want to challenge them, but that doesn't mean that he necessarily agrees with them," he said.