Minutes after carrying out a sickening attack on a young man who had just completed a work out at a gym, Dale Pipe quoted a comic book villain who has become a cult anti-hero. Gavin Havery studied his Facebook page, which has since been taken down, and found the former chef was obsessed with Batman films and violent computer games.

IN an online entry days before Dale Pipe plunged an axe into a man's neck he wondered whether the gym was open.

Snow and ice still lay on the ground around Belle Vue Leisure, in Consett, County Durham, and Pipe, apparently innocently, asked the question: ‘Any1 know if Consett Sport Centre (gym) is open?’

Five days later, following a frenzied and unprovoked attack using an axe, craft knife and kitchen knife, the 20-year old left a fellow fitness enthusiast fighting for his life.

Following admissions of guilt at Newcastle Crown Court psychiatrists are assessing his mental state to determine whether he should be jailed or held in a secure hospital.

His online footprints, including the last on his mobile phone just minutes after the attack at 2.15pm on January 28, have given investigators the impression he was obsessed with the Chistopher Nolan Batman films, notably The Joker.

Inspector Chris Davis, of Consett Police, said: “While he is in the changing room he has posted on his Facebook page, Why So Serious?

“That is what the Joker says. If it not about the film what other connection could you make to it?”

In The Dark Knight, the Joker (Heath Ledger) uses the phrase repeatedly as he explains how his father used a knife to carve a smile into his face. The sequence ends as he uses a blade to kill one of his enemies.

Details of the case are reminiscent of the mass-murder of 12 people in Colorado last summer by 24-year-old James Holmes, who told police he was the Joker.

Insp Davis added: “That would be my thoughts. Obviously, it bears comparisons to the American case, doesn’t it?

“If you look at Pipe’s Facebook page you will be aware of the references to Batman and his gaming.”

Insp Davis said quick-thinking staff probably saved the 22-year-old victim's life by giving him first aid and prevented Pipe attacking other members of the leisure centre by overpowering him.

He said four people were being nominated for police bravery awards for their actions.

He said: “Some of them have been quite affected by it. I am sure it has been quite traumatic for them. There was quite a lot of blood, as you can imagine, because he has been stabbed numerous times.

“Their reaction was absolutely fantastic. They have contained him and that is the first thing you do with a firearms or knife incident. They have done that without event thinking.”

It is understood Pipe was deeply affected by the death of his father last year.

He lost his job as a chef at Derwent Manor Hotel, near Shotley Bridge, at around the same time.

Police said they recovered a roll of knives when they finally arrested him at the leisure centre after the attack.

Insp Davis said: “It very usual and we are concerned about this sort of copycat attack where people want to make a name for themselves.”