A 19-YEAR-OLD “vulnerable” youth said to have been suffering a psychotic episode when he broke a woman’s hip and elbow and attacked three other women at Bangor has been locked up for three years.

Andrew Cashmore-Thorley, of Bryngwran, Anglesey, admitted criminal damage and having a knife with which he slashed his mum’s car tyre in August last year, a malicious phone call in September when he threatened to stab her, inflicting grievous bodily harm in October and three assaults on November 5.

Judge Nicola Jones at Caernarfon crown court said in October a woman in Deiniol Road, Bangor, had been pushed forcibly and needed surgery because of her injuries. The attack had a huge impact on her.

Five days later a young woman had been struck from behind and punched in the face on the high street. The defendant stood there laughing, the court heard.

Cashmore-Thorley had then barged into a university student, pushing her into a wall and leaving her shaken. Finally, he pushed a charity volunteer to the ground.

Judge Jones said the defendant was vulnerable and an expert Professor felt Cashmore-Thorley needed treatment. “Your mental disorder is linked to the commission of the offence,” the judge remarked.

A psychiatric report would be passed to prison authorities for him to get help.