A 'PSYCHOTIC' man who punched a vicar's wife during a bizarre burglary and stole two large kitchen knives only to be later caught with yet another blade has been granted bail.

Kamil Panasewicz, pictured here, walked free onto the busy streets of Worcester from the city's crown court having been granted bail following two separate knife offences and despite concerns raised by a judge over the danger he poses to the public.

The 25-year-old has already admitted the burglary and the attack on the vicar's wife in Bromsgrove when he stole two knives from the vicarage on June 6 last year, causing the terrified woman to flee her home.

The defendant was under investigation and had been charged with those offences in Bromsgrove when he was arrested in Malvern with yet another knife on July 9 this year.

Panasewicz had a knife at 3am in Malvern, claiming he was only going to use it to 'cut sandwiches' while out hiking on the Malvern Hills. Departing from the sentencing guidelines, magistrates gave him a suspended sentence for the Malvern matter.

The defendant appeared again at Worcester Crown Court on Thursday after admitting burglary, assault and the theft of two kitchen knives following an attack on a vicar's wife at the vicarage in Kidderminster Road, Bromsgrove.

Despite the judge's reluctance, the defendant was granted bail with 'stringent conditions' and was able to walk out of the court, the case adjourned for a pre-sentence and a psychiatric report.

Panasewicz of Hollyhock Road, Birmingham, is photographed here in Foregate Street, strolling towards the railway station just yards from an unsuspecting public.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright said during the hearing: "The whole question arises about why he was carrying knives and why was he stealing knives in a burglary? Why did a man commit a violent burglary to take knives into a public place? What was the purpose of his taking a knife in Malvern?"

Glenn Cook, for Panasewicz, said: "He has been walking on the Malvern Hills and he used it to cut his bread while making sandwiches."

The knife seized in Malvern was said to have a four inch blade but Mr Cook pointed out 'there is no suggestion that he brandished it, that he took it out'.

However, Judge Cartwright observed that the defendant must have taken the knife with him on public transport, most likely the train, from his home in Birmingham to Malvern. He also said Panasewicz must have known it was illegal to do so because he had already been arrested for possession of the two knives in Bromsgrove.

The defendant chose to answer 'no comment' when asked by police whether he knew it was illegal to carry a knife in public.

Mr Cook argued that his client's symptoms could be managed with medication, including anti-psychotic injections administered on a monthly basis.

Panasewicz was asked why he had gone to the church in Bromsgrove and said, through his advocate, that he did not remember.

Judge Cartwright said: "Everybody knows - and knew a year ago - that possession of knives in a public place is a very serious offence because of the number of people who suffer serious injury or get killed by knives every year. What happens if he has another episode?"

The defendant, who has previously been sectioned, is living in supported accommodation in Birmingham and is under the supervision of a care-ordinator.

Judge Nicolas Cartwright said the case had a 'troubling history'. He added: "The real issue now is whether Mr Panasewicz should be remanded in custody or on bail with conditions between now and then (the sentencing date)."

Describing the Bromsgrove offences, the judge said Mrs Khan was at home at 8am in the summer of last year when she answered a knock at the door.

"When she answered he put his foot in the door, forced his way in and punched her to the face and to the body, hitting her with a bag containing a heavy article. Fortunately she was able to flee the property.

"He then committed a burglary but not taking the usual items one might expect. He took items of clothing but also, troublingly, two large kitchen knives," said the judge.

The defendant was apprehended nearby. However, he was charged with anything until May of this year. In the meantime he had been under investigation and, having been charged with the Bromsgrove offences, travelled to Malvern, taking with him another knife.

Judge Cartwright said the magistrates who sentenced him for the Malvern offence had 'departed from the guidelines' which indicate that an immediate custodial sentence should be imposed, instead imposing a suspended sentence. They sentenced him to 16 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months in September.

He said: "Mr Panasewicz appears before the crown court on bail and at liberty. It seems to me obvious, against that background, there's a substantial risk that Mr Panasewicz will commit a serious offence if at liberty." The judge said 'protection of the public is of paramount consideration'. However, he said he was 'just persuaded' that he could grant bail but with stringent conditions. These include an electronically monitored curfew between 5pm and 8am daily and that he comply with medical treatment as directed by his care care-ordinator, including the administration of injections.

The sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place on January 14 next year.