A MAN accused of attempting to murder a Sheffield police officer with an axe may not be fit to stand trial, a court has heard.<\/p>\n
Further mental health tests are to take place on Nathan Sumner to determine whether he is fit to enter a plea to the charges over the attempted murder of PC Lisa Bates on Plowright Close in Gleadless Valley.<\/p>\n
PC Bates (pictured) suffered a fractured skull, broken leg and severe hand injuries following the attack on 13 April last year.<\/p>\n
Sumner, aged 35, of Plowright Close, Gleadless Valley, is accused of carrying out the attack on PC Bates and is due to stand trial on 12 October.<\/p>\n
He appeared via video link from HMP Wakefield at Sheffield Crown Court.<\/p>\n
Sumner had been told he will face two charges \u2013 attempted murder and an alternative of Section 18 assault.<\/p>\n
But David Brooke, representing Sumner, said since his last appearance an interim psychiatric report has been carried out and \u201craised a number of issues including fitness to plea and capacity for intent\u201d.<\/p>\n
While the report is being finalised, Judge Julian Goose QC said the defence should arrange funding for a second expert to carry out a similar assessment.<\/p>\n
Members of Sumner\u2019s family were in the public gallery for the hearing. Sumner spoke only twice during the hearing, once to confirm his name and the second time to confirm he could hear Judge Goose addressing him.<\/p>\n
The next hearing in the case will take place on 22 September.<\/p>\n
See the full story here: http:\/\/www.thestar.co.uk\/news\/sheffield-man-accused-of-pc-lisa-bates-axe-attack-to-be-assessed-by-psychiatrists-1-7911148<\/a><\/p>\n