A mentally-ill man stabbed his 81-year-old father in the chest after sending a “rambling” text, a court has heard.

Frank Samuel, 54, allegedly killed father-of-four Arthur Samuel on September 28 last year.

A jury at the Old Bailey heard that he had earlier sent him a “rambling” text message saying: “Do not try to contact this number again.”

When he arrived at the family home in Catford, his sister, Claire Samuel, asked if he was all right, prosecutor Anthony Orchard QC said.

The defendant replied “No” and marched straight past her as if he was “on a mission”, jurors were told.

Samuel then picked up two knives from a block and allegedly attacked his father, who had been sitting in an armchair.

Police arrived at the property in Burford Road at 9.51am and found a neighbour holding the living room door closed.

Mr Orchard said: “Police opened the door and found Frank Samuel, sitting on the sofa holding a bloodied knife in each hand. He had the blades pointing upwards.

“He was, according to the officers, ranting and raving.

“He was asked to put the knives down. Initially he refused.

“Arthur Samuel, his father, was lying on the floor between the chair and the table.

“There was a pool of blood around him.”

Police officers rushed at the defendant and overpowered him, the court heard.

After being arrested, Samuel, from Hither Green, south-east London, said: “He’s not dead, he’s not dead.”

Arthur Samuel was treated by paramedics for stab wounds to the chest and was pronounced dead the same morning.

Jurors were told they would not have to decide whether Samuel was guilty of murder because he was unfit to stand trial.

Instead, their task would be to decide if he committed the act of unlawful killing.

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