A MAN who tried to kill a grandfather with a machete has been locked up in a secure psychiatric hospital.

David Elton, 36, attacked 80-year-old pensioner Graham Bloxham with the weapon in Owlswick on Monday, March 14 this year.

He appeared at Reading Crown Court on Monday, October 24 charged with attempted murder, but was found not guilty after being declared insane by the jury.

The following day, Judge Zoe Smith ordered Elton be detained indefinitely at a psychiatric hospital.

Elton had been renting a room at the Shoulder of Mutton pub in Owlswick when the attack happened.

Mr Bloxham suffered wounds to his neck, throat and arms.

Keith Jones, 57, who lives in the small village, said the community had been shocked to hear of the attack.

He said: "I was upset to hear that had happened down here. He is an old man. He doesn't deserve that. He is such a lovely man."

Another neighbour added: "It is such a quiet village, only a few people here. I heard he was out of hospital and all right. I am just glad that they caught him. It was a horrible thing to have happened."

The staff at the pub refused to comment on the incident.