A deluded Garnant pensioner stabbed a pharmacist he believed was involved in the over prescription of medication, a judge heard today.

Peter Bellett, aged 69, stabbed Michael Irons so viciously the four inch knife went through his left arm and he had to be flown by air ambulance to Morriston hospital.

Bellett, of Wern Road, told police he felt he had to do something drastic to highlight his grievance.

Bellett admitted wounding with intent.

Before the case against Bellett was opened at Swansea crown court, consultant psychiatrist Dr Tom Rhodri Wynn said he had diagnosed him as suffering from a delusional disorder.

He said Bellett had known what he was doing but would have been less likely to do it if he had not been ill.

Paul Hobson, prosecuting, then explained how on December 5, 2016, Bellett had walked into the local pharmacy and waited until he was alone with Mr Irons.

He spoke to Mr Irons about his concerns "but did not get the answers he wanted" and pulled out a four inch knife.

Bellett stabbed him and tried to gouge out his eyes but Mr Irons managed to push him away and ran from the shop.

He took refuge in the doctors' surgery opposite, where he received initial treatment.

Mr Hobson said doctors estimated he lost half a litre of blood and that the stab had been so severe it had left an exit wound.

While Mr Irons was making his escape Bellett himself called the police, telling them what he had done and adding that he would explain why when they arrived.

After being arrested he told the officers, "I could really do with a cup of tea."

During interviews Bellett said he blamed Dr Duncan Williams, of the Garnant surgery, for over prescribing him medicine and Mr Irons for "going along with it and profiting from it."

He said he had intended to seriously injure him but not to kill him.

His barrister, Dyfed Thomas, said his delusion in relation to medicines was global in nature and even involved the Freemasons.

In a victim impact statement Mr Irons said "the horror of those few minutes go round and round in my head."

He added that he had worked in the pharmacy for more than 30 years but going back to work had been almost unbearable.

Mr Irons said he had since decided to sell the business.

Bellett was also appearing for child sex offences dating back more than 30 years when he had molested a six year old girl, which he admitted.

Judge Paul Thomas said he had carried out that attack without any concern for the effect it might have on her.

"There is no evidence that you were mentally ill at that time. You thought only of yourself and told her no-one would believe her if she complained."

Judge Thomas said by 2016 Bellett had developed the mental disorder he now suffered from.

"It was an wholly unprovoked, premeditated, ferocious and determined attack on an unarmed man simply doing his job," he added.

Bellett was jailed for a total of 10 years.

Initially he will be treated at the Caswell Clinic, near Bridgend, for his mental disorder and will be transferred to prison when psychiatrists deem him to be sufficiently well.