Adelaide man who stabbed parents because be believed they were aliens to spend 10 years in secure mental health facility

A MAN who stabbed his parents because he thought they were aliens, will be detained in a secure mental health facility for at least the next decade despite his family’s pleas he be released into their care.

Catherine and Robert Chattaway outside court. They were attacked by their son, who suffers from schizophrenia. Photo: Greg Higgs.

A MAN who stabbed his parents because he thought they were aliens will be detained in a secure mental health facility for at least 10 years despite his family’s pleas he be released to them.

Nicholas Chattaway, 23, launched a “frenzied” attack on his parents, Catherine and Robert, using four knives and a BBQ fork at their Torrens Park house in October 2014.

They suffered multiple stab wounds and police had to taser him 15 times to subdue him.

He was affected by the delusional belief “ten small men” had spoken to him from the roof, who he later told doctors had told him his parents were aliens intended to torture and murder him.

The Supreme Court later found him not guilty of attempted murder by reason of mental incompetence, due to schizophrenia.

In an impassioned plea during the week, his “incredibly supportive” parents asked that he be released into their care because they could help his physical and mental problems better than government staff.

But on Friday, Justice Anne Bampton refused their request and ordered Chattaway be detained for at least the next 10 years in a secure mental health facility.

In her judgment, Justice Bampton emphasised this was not “a punishment” but the best way to secure his treatment needs and rehabilitation, while protecting the public.

She rejected their claims he was charged with the wrong offence and that their injuries were not serious, finding they were clearly “life threatening” without medical help.

Chattaway had suffered head injuries after being attacked by bottles in 2010, which his family said had caused profound problems for the usually happy young man.

“(His) parents are loving, supportive parents who want to ensure their youngest son receives the care and treatment he needs,” Justice Bampton said.

“I cannot adequately describe, or do justice, to what they, as parents, have endured before and after (the attack) and what they as a family continue to live with as they try and navigate caring for their son while he is in detention.

“It will undoubtedly be difficult for (him) and his parents to reconcile themselves to the limiting term I fix.”

She said that in order to vary the order in the future, Chattaway would have to prove he had co-operated with his mental health workers, agreed to treatment and undergone neuropsychological assessment.

The family declined comment outside court.