A PARANOID schizophrenic who knifed his girlfriend and then turned on two neighbours who went to her aid has been jailed for life.

Robert McKenzie Wilson, 31, was given the mandatory life term at Burnley Crown Court because he has already been convicted of a serious offence.

Judge Ramond Bennett ordered that the defendant, who has been in custody for 207 days, serve a minimum of two years and 334 days in prison before he is considered for parole.

Wilson, of Selkirk Street, Burnley, admitted three counts of wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm, on August 2001.

The court had been told how the defendant, then living with partner Carla Booth at Grange Street, Burnley, returned to the property drunk.

He attacked Miss Booth with a knife and bit her. Neighbours Naomi Allan West and Derek Whittaker heard the commotion and dashed round to help Miss Booth.

They were also stabbed and Mr Whittaker had to spend eight days in hospital and have a chest drain inserted because of his injuries. Both women victims suffered several wounds.

Mark Stuart, defending, said Wilson had a history of psychiatric problems. He had not been taking his medication before the offences and could remember nothing about what happened.