A mentally ill man who committed a “spree” of violent offences, including a serious sexual assault, last year was yesterday detained in hospital under the Mental Health Act.

The hospital order imposed restrictions to block the discharge of Jah-Rome Hill, 38, from the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute until it is decided he is fit to be released.

Acting Puisne Judge Craig Attridge said Hill’s series of attacks showed “depravity that cannot by tolerated by these courts, and society”.

He highlighted Hill’s history of mental illness, supported by two psychiatric reports, which included 20 admissions to hospital for psychiatric reasons that spanned 18 years.

Mr Justice Attridge said Hill had committed “a quite depraved sexual assault ... in what ought to have been the private sanctuary of the complainant’s own home”.

Hill attacked the woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, at the door of her Sandys home on September 6 last year.

The judge said Hill had also pleaded guilty to a “a heinous assault on a visitor to these shores” as he attempted to rob a woman tourist.

The woman was assaulted on August 20 last year near Somerset Bridge, which left her “severely traumatised”.

The attack was followed less than 12 hours later by the attempted robbery of two staff at Four Star Pizza in Sandys.

The two attempted robbery offences carry a maximum sentence of 20 years each.

The court heard at an earlier session that Hill’s drug use had worsened his psychological problems.

Mr Justice Attridge said it was “clear to the court” after the reports, with courtroom testimony from a forensic psychiatrist, that Mr Hill was “seriously unwell”.

He said: “A lengthy period of incarceration will neither benefit this defendant, nor, more importantly, this society.”

Mr Justice Attridge added that ensuring public safety while getting Hill treatment required a hospital order under Section 38 of the Act.

Release from the Mid Atlantic Wellness Institute requires the health minister’s approval, based on medical advice, under current legislation.

There was no restriction imposed on the order’s duration.

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