Schizophrenic detained after poisoning attempt

Mar 12 2008 icWales

A schizophrenic who tried to poison his care worker’s fizzy drink was detained in hospital today.

Phil Sollis, 31, was at his South Wales home on July 31 last year when Nigel Dyer, who worked at St Tydfil Hospital, Merthyr Tydfil, visited him.

Cardiff Crown Court was told that Mr Dyer, who was arranging a visit to the Welsh capital for Sollis, finished drinking a bottle of Sprite and left it on a table before going to his car to pick up his diary.

When he went back into the house, Mr Dyer heard a bottle being filled and shaken.

Sollis then told him: "You’ve got to finish your pop."

Mr Dyer declined, seeing lumps of powder floating in a clear liquid in the bottle, and left the house. The contents were later analysed and tested positive for amphetamine.

Sollis, of Lower Street, Aberaman, admitted attempting to administer poison.

Judge Philip Richards made an order under the Mental Health Act for him to be admitted to hospital.

He told Sollis to take "full advantage" of the help offered to him, adding: "It’s important for you that you do that, so that you can live the fullest possible life in the future, and the happiest possible life in the future."