A FORMER psychiatric patient is to undergo a mental health assessment after he appeared in court accused of stabbing his brother.

Shane Poblocki, 44, of Fairfield Terrace, Newton Abbot, indicated he intended to plead guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and criminal damage when he appeared by video link at Exeter Crown Court from the city’s prison.

He is accused stabbing his brother Dean Poblocki on September 19 at a house in Newton Abbot, where he is also alleged to have poisoned four fish by putting soap in their tank and causing damage to two television sets and a drain.

Judge David Evans adjourned the case for two weeks to allow the liaison and diversion mental health team at the prison to assess Poblocki.

He delayed the arraignment, in which Poblocki will be required to enter a formal plea, and noted that the defendant had been an in-patient at the Cedars psychiatric unit at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital in the past.