A man launched a murderous assault on his mother because he thought she was Hitler – after she'd pleaded for two years to get him mental health help.

Anna Matthews, 67, was in hospital for four months following the horrific attack, which left her with broken ribs, facial fractures and a potentially fatal bleed on the brain.

The terrifying attack was carried out while her son Patrick, 43, was suffering a psychotic episode which had followed him taking a variety of illicit drugs.

The once-promising footballer had turned on his mother, smashing his fist into her face and body, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

The stricken nurse pleaded with him: "Patrick, I'm your mother... I am your mother."

Matthews told her that she was Hitler and had to die but then made two 999 calls to police asking for help.

Passersby heard shouts and screams from Matthews.

Armed police were called to the flat above the Traga Laundrette at the junction of Tonbridge Road and Terminus Road in Barming in January 2019.

As Mrs Matthews lay bleeding on the floor, a police officer had to point a weapon at her attacker before he gave himself up and was arrested.

Matthews, who had been diagnosed with autoimmune illness Behcet's Syndrome, had been suffering a psychotic episode at the time which doctors believe was linked by the abuse of cocaine, ketamine, amphetamine and cannabis.

In the weeks before the attack, Mrs Matthews had become worried because her son had told her how he wanted to "stop the world" and "stop time" and had been talking about the army.

Prosecutor Peter Forbes told the court members of Kent's mental health team were on their way to the flat after a call from Mrs Matthews. They had advised her to be there for the visit.

She went to make her son breakfast when he turned on her, hitting her at least 10 times, breaking ribs and facial bones and trying to throttle her with a belt.

In a phone call to her daughter, Charlotte Clatworthy, Mrs Matthews could be heard screaming: "I'm your mother... I'm your mother."

Mathews told his sister: "It's Hitler come to kill me" before asking her to call the police and the army, adding: "I want to die but I can't die."

Mr Forbes added that Matthews then called 999 twice telling an operator: "My mother's gone mad" and after being asked why he needed help responded: "Because I don't want to kill my mum."

After being arrested by police he told officers he believed she had a cyanide tablet and said: "God save the Queen... I had to kill Hitler."

The judge heard how the victim feels let down by her own profession after she had pleaded for two years for her son to receive psychiatric help.

Matthews, who had admitted attempted murder, was ordered to remain in a secure mental hospital until further notice.

Judge Philip St John Stevens told him: "You caused your mother both physical and mental injuries. Your mother has had to learn to walk again as a result.

"But it is clear you are suffering from a mental health condition. This is a very sad case for a number of reasons including because of the best efforts your mother and sister have made to get you the assistance you need."

Christopher Martin, defending, said: "This is a tragic case. He did not want to hurt his mother."

His mother and sister described him as a "loving and caring person".

Mr Martin said Johnson began to self-medicate with illicit drugs to help him cope with Behcet's, which caused him temporary blindness as well as affecting other parts of his body.

The barrister said Matthews came from a loving and close family and he would never have "deliberately hurt his mother".

He said a local doctor who had read about the incident in the Kent Messenger, had submitted a letter of support.

Matthews was moved to Maidstone Hospital's Trevor Gibbens mental unit in October last year where he has been receiving treatment for his mental disorder.

Dr Sohail Tariq had recommended the judge pass a hospital order rather than a jail sentence - even though Matthews still didn't accept the medical prognosis of his mental illness.

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