Samurai sword man denies trying to murder his MP

A man who tried to kill his MP with a Samurai sword turned the weapon on the politician's assistant and stabbed him to death during a frenzied attack in his constituency office, a court heard yesterday.

Robert Ashman, 52, is accused of slashing Nigel Jones, a Liberal Democrat, across his hands before plunging the sword through Andrew Pennington, 49, six times. Mr Pennington was killed trying to rescue of his boss, who escaped, but needed 57 stitches to his hands.

Mr Ashman, had hidden his father's warsouvenir under his overcoat when he went to the MP's weekly surgery in Cheltenham, a jury at Bristol Crown Court was told. He had frequently visited the MP's surgery seeking help on financial concerns after he became obsessed with fighting a legal battle when he lost his job and home, the court heard.

He denies attempting to murder Mr Jones, 54, in January, 2000. He also denies an alternative charge of wounding Mr Jones with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. But he has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Penning-ton, a Gloucestershire county councillor, on the grounds of diminished responsibility. The prosecution has accepted this plea. The jury was told to decide about the alleged attack on the MP, not his aide.

Paul Garlick QC, prosecuting, said Mr Ashman attacked the MP with "horrifying violence", lunging at Mr Jones with the sword. He had claimed there was a conspiracy between the council and his bank, the court heard. "Mr Ashman was a man who was totally obsessed with pursuing what he perceived to be his legal rights," the prosecution said.

Mr Garlick said this obsession caused Mr Ashman to turn to violence and that his intended victim was not Mr Pennington, but Mr Jones.

Mr Ashman had seemed normal while having lunch with his parents on the day of the attack, Mr Garlick told the jury. But he then took his father's Samurai sword and attached it to his neck with a piece of rope, which allowed him to conceal it beneath his overcoat. He went to the MP's surgery, where he waited, but refused to sit down.

After being shown into the room where Mr Jones and Mr Pennington were waiting, Mr Ashman asked the MP to send a letter for him. He then drew his sword and lunged across at him. Mr Jones grabbed the blade with both hands to protect himself, suffering "dreadful injuries", Mr Garlick said.

The MP ran from the building to get help, leaving Mr Pennington and Mr Ashman. After killing the councillor, the defendant left with the sword and was arrested quickly.

Mr Garlick asked the jury: "Why would you take such a lethal weapon concealed under your clothes and what possible use would you put such an implement to? The prosecution suggest to you there is only one answer, that you intend to use such a weapon and when you use such a weapon you must intend to kill somebody."

The trial continues.