A MAN has been sentenced to a hospital order after deliberately driving into and killing a motorcyclist, just days after telling mental health professionals that he "needed to be institutionalised". 

Paul Barrett targeted father of three Ryan Brindley with his car in a 'random' and unprovoked attack, a court heard.

Paul Barrett, 43, of White Road, Mere, pleading guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility. 

The motorcyclist was Ryan Brindley, a 43-year-old father of one and stepfather of two. He was killed instantly in the crash on the B3089 Hindon Road, in Dinton, shortly before 7.30pm on December 22, 2021.

Salisbury Journal: Ryan Brindley.Ryan Brindley. (Image: Wiltshire Police)

Prior to running down Mr Brindley, the 43-year-old took his mother's VW Touran and drove it 'erratically' through the quaint village of Dinton, Wilts.

When he saw the motorcyclist coming in the opposite direction he abruptly made a u-turn and began to pursue him, pushing his foot down 'fully' on the accelerator to catch up to him.

Dashcam footage filmed from his car and shown to the court, shows how he ploughed into the back of the motorbike at a speed of 78mph, hurling his victim from his motorcycle and killing him instantly as he landed on the road.

Watch the moment Paul Barrett turns his car around and crashes into Ryan Brindley

Police found Barrett at the scene, who said to them: "I think I have killed him, haven't I?"

Findings from the car showed that Barrett's accelerator was fully depressed at the time of impact. 

"Some distance" down the road they found Mr Brindley, already dead, and his motorbike was embedded in the front of Barrett's car.

The attack came days after the motorist, who is bipolar, told health care professionals he 'needed to be sectioned or die'.

He was in the midst of an extreme 'psychotic episode' and believed he was being pursued by 'the State', a judge was told.

The court heard how Barrett suffered several mental health problems, including psychotic breaks, paranoia, and deep depression, for which he had been seeking treatment. 

The defence lawyer said these mental health issues led to an "abnormality of mental functioning", preventing him from making "rational decisions". 

Mr Justice Martin Chamberlain sentenced him to be detained at a psychiatric hospital and disqualified him from driving.

In a victim impact statement, Ryan’s partner said: “Ryan was a beautiful human being – he will be missed by so many.

"He was a deeply private man and although I understand there are many people who want to read and understand what happened.

"I would like to request that everybody, including the media, are respectful of Ryan’s remaining family and their privacy. I know that Ryan would be hating all the attention this case has brought."

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Childe, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “I would like to pay tribute to Ryan’s family who have suffered such a devastating loss, and thank them for the support they have shown during the police investigation. Ryan was taken from them in the cruellest of circumstances and my thoughts remain with them at this extremely difficult time."