A FEMALE police sergent was stabbed in the head by a paranoid schizophrenic who lured her to a weapon-filled trap.

Sergeant Charlotte Barker and PC Natalie Robson thought they were responding to a rape claim when they went to a house in Blind Lane, Houghton-le-Spring, on January 27 last year.

But Newcastle Crown Court heard how the officers were confronted by crazed John Brannigan, 32, who had broken into a stranger's garden and was lying in wait with an air rifle, screw driver, and a hunting knife.

Christopher Prince, prosecuting, told the court how, as well as the weapons, Brannigan, who said he was a "soldier of God", had laid out a rat trap, a fishing rod, two rucksacks and a small carved wooden badger.

Sgt Barker managed to handcuff his wrists but she was dragged into a shed where he tried to stab her with a 24cm hunting knife.

During the struggle, the blade penetrated her skull.

The knife also cut through the PC's uniform, but missed her heart.

Judge Esmond Faulks yesterday ordered Brannigan be detained indefinitely under the Mental Health Act.

Mr Prince told the court how on the day of the attack Sgt Barker had decided against wearing her stab-proof vest due to the nature of the call.

He said: "She felt to wear the protective vest to go to what she understood was a historic rape would be seen as somewhat aggressive in its appearance in response to a call that requires sensitivity.

"She was later to regret she made that decision.

But the rape was a rouse designed to lure the PCs to their death.

Mr Prince told the court that Brannigan said: "'I want to tie you two up'."

He said: "The defendant dragged Sgt Barker into the shed. He grabbed hold of the knife and swung it straight towards her chest, stabbing the vicinity of her left chest, near her heart.

"Not surprisingly, at that point she thought she was going to be killed.

"Sgt Barker turned away from the defendant and the defendant then stabbed her twice to the back of the head with the knife."

The court heard how PC Robson discharged a full canister of CS spray on Brannigan, but it failed to stop the attack.

Brannigan, of Coronation Crescent, Houghton-le-Spring, admitted unlawful wounding at an earlier hearing. He also admitted cultivating 59 cannabis plants which were found in his home afterwards.

Judge Faulks commended both officers bravery.

Defence barriser Brian Mark told the court how psyciatrists for both the prosecution and defence teams agree Brannigan suffers paranoid schizophrenia.

Mr Mark said: "Through me he wishes to make it clear he has not just regret but great regret.

"And along with that regret comes the understanding from his improved mental health what happened on that day.

"He is appalled by it."