‘Small men on roof’ told son to attack his ‘alien’ parents, court documents show

A “PSYCHOTIC” man who tried to kill his parents did so believing they were aliens sent to torture him before the imminent end of the world, it can be revealed.

A “PSYCHOTIC” man who stabbed his parents with four knives and a BBQ fork during a “frenzied” attack did so believing they were aliens sent to torture him before the imminent end of the world, it can be revealed.

Supreme Court documents released to The Advertiser on Thursday describe for the first time the terrifying motives of Nicholas Chattaway — who was this week found not guilty of two counts of attempted murder due to mental incompetence.

The prosecution outline states Chattaway told his psychiatrists after the attack that “ten small men” had spoken to him from the roof of the Torrens Park house he shared with his parents.

He said they told him his parents were aliens that intended to torture and murder him.

“As a result the defendant became more isolative and weary about his parents. He tried to argue with the voices but eventually became convinced he had to take action first,” the documents state.

Chattaway, 22, was tasered 15 times when police arrived, after he had attacked his parents with four knives and a BBQ fork with 10cm prongs in October last year.

“On the day of the offence his parents were doing odd jobs including gardening,” the documents state.

“His father was using a chainsaw. This freaked him out (and) the voices said they are going to kill you.”

The documents said Chattaway was suffering from schizophrenia and believed the world would end sometime in 2014.

His parents were taken to the Flinders Medical Centre with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

Prosecutors did not oppose Justice Anne Bampton’s finding that Chattaway was not fit to stand trial.

He will face sentencing submissions in March next year in order for a minimum period of detention in a mental health facility to be set at a later date.