A HAMMER-wielding son who split his mother s head open after she criticised his time-keeping and appearance will be held in a secure hospital indefinitely. Karl Darrington, 39, battered his mum Anna after she shooed him out of the door for arriving too e

A HAMMER-wielding son who split his mother's head open after she criticised his time-keeping and appearance will be held in a secure hospital indefinitely.

Karl Darrington, 39, battered his mum Anna after she shooed him out of the door for arriving 'too early' at her home in Dagenham.

The Asperger's syndrome sufferer refused to leave and saw red after the mum-of-two described his clothes as 'scruffy', Snaresbrook Crown Court heard.

Dad Ernest and Darrington's younger brother Wesley 'wrestled' Darrington to the floor at the family's house in Greenfield Road before police arrived.

Doctors at King George Hospital, Goodmayes, used special suture stitches to piece together Anna's scalp and she is understood to have recovered from her injuries.

Her son was detained at the John Howard Centre, in Homerton, under the Mental Health Act after admitting wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Dr Richard Latham, a consultant forensic psychiatrist at the John Howard Centre, revealed to the court: "Mr Darrington's health has actually deteriorated since being with us."

A second psychiatrist, Dr Alex Acosta-Armas, agreed that Darrington should face treatment on a psychiatric ward rather than languish behind bars.

Prosecutor Glen Carrasco had told the court: "The defendant came around about 11am in anticipation of lunch.

"But his mother said: 'Karl, you're too early, you will have to come round later'."

Darrington stalked into his parents' lounge where his mother went on to describe her son's clothing as 'scruffy', the court heard.

"All of a sudden she remembers feeling a thump and she was in a daze", said the prosecutor.

"The next thing she saw was the defendant wrestling with his father.

"She says that her head was splitting and she describes blood everywhere."

Brave Ernest and Wesley subdued Darrington until police arrived at the scene on June 23 last year.

Ernest told officers he looked on in horror as his son brandished a hammer before launching the savage attack.

"He swung the hammer sideways across the back of his mother's head," said Mr Carrasco.

Darrington, formerly of Haskard Road, Dagenham, admitted wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Judge Timothy King told him: "A term of imprisonment is not appropriate in your case."

It will be for the doctors to say when, if ever, Darrington should be released.