A MAN whose mental illness was sparked by drug taking slashed his brother across the face with a kitchen knife.

Victim Moshahia Fajakkir had gone to investigate a disturbance between two families in Kidderminster.

But his brother Mussabbir Hussain, who had been acting strangely for some days, followed him and drew the knife from his clothing, said Pardeep Tiwana, prosecuting at Worcester Crown Court.

He caused a deep cut between Mr Fajakkir's left ear and his cheek which required stitches.

Hussain, aged 25, of Bromsgrove Street, Kidderminster, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding.

In 2001, he armed himself with a machete and smashed the glass in a telephone kiosk, said Mr Tiwana.

Two years ago he snatched a bag from an elderly woman and then kicked a witness to the incident in Worcester Street, Kidderminster.

Judge David McEvoy QC warned Hussain that if he continued behaving in such a way he risked being sentenced to life imprisonment.

The judge said the defendant had become paranoid due to drugs and wrongly believed the victim was having a relationship with his wife.

He passed a three-year community rehabilitation order after hearing that Hussain had served the equivalent of an 18-month jail term on remand.

Under the order, he must attend courses run by the probation service to deal with his drug problem.

Mr Tiwana said Hussain had suffered from mental problems since 1995. In May last year he was staying at his brother's house but began staring at him.

He followed the victim to Baxter Avenue, Kidderminster, and attacked him after being ordered to return home.

Nicolas Cartwright, defending, said: "Drug taking triggered his behaviour. He was ill because he had taken cannabis or amphetamine."

He added that Hussain deserved credit for his guilty plea because his brother was reluctant to give evidence against him.