A man murdered a refugee and cut off his penis just hours after being released from a psychiatric hospital.

Jeffrey Barry, 56, who has paranoid schizophrenia, attacked his neighbour Kamil Ahmad after believing him to be a rapist, paedophile and terrorist.

The tragic murder took place at Mr Ahmad’s flat on Wells Road, Bristol, in July last year, hours after Barry was released from psychiatric hospital.

A jury unanimously convicted Barry, who is being held at Broadmoor Hospital, of murder following a two-week trial.

Months before killing Mr Ahmad, Barry told support workers he wanted to be a notorious killer, adding: “Kamil would be top of my list.”

He wrote notes saying he planned to kill people in the house, a multi-occupancy for adults requiring support, and also phoned police making false claims about Mr Ahmad.

On the day of the murder, Barry left Cygnet Hospital Kewstoke in Weston-super-Mare, after a mental health tribunal had previously ruled he was well enough to be released.

He had previously relapsed and stopped taking the drug clozapine because it weakened his immune system. He also started drinking heavily and smoking skunk cannabis.

Consultant forensic psychiatrist Dr Roger Thomas said the tribunal was unaware of how long Barry had been off clozapine.

It was also unaware of his recent relapse, or of concerns raised by staff at the Milestones Trust, which manages the Wells Road property.

They attempted to get an injunction to protect Mr Ahmad but there was not enough time.

Barry returned to Bristol at about 5.30pm and was seen with seven drinks in two bars.

At 1am on July 7, having returned to his flat, Barry called a helpline answered by community psychiatric nurse and said he felt like punching somebody, the court heard.

"He responded by saying that he was criminally insane and not responsible for his actions, and ended the call."

CCTV images showed Barry knocking on Mr Ahmad's door at 1.30am and leaving, covered in blood, at 2.15am.

Barry called 999, reporting that he had killed Mr Ahmad, and told the operator: "Course it's murder isn't it? I'm going to say diminished responsibility."

The day after the murder, police discovered a note in Barry's room saying: "The fact is, I have acted out my entire psychiatric history. I'm very well. Sorry."

Home Office pathologist Dr Amanda Jeffery examined Mr Ahmad's body and found injuries to his face, head and neck. There were 25 stab wounds to his face, including his eyes, and fatal stab wounds to his stomach, right arm and left wrist.

Mr Ahmad's penis had been cut off after his death.

John Hoskinson, chief executive of the Milestones Trust, said an internal review was being conducted, as well as other investigations.

A Safeguarding Adults Review, looking into the circumstances of Mr Ahmad's death, has been commissioned.

Detective Chief Inspector Richard Ocone, of Avon and Somerset Police, said Barry "knew exactly what he was doing" when he attacked Mr Ahmad.

"The public are now much safer with him off the streets for he is an exceptionally dangerous man," he added.

Barry will be sentenced on November 10.

Mr Ahmad's brother, Kamaran Ahmad Ali, described him as a "much loved brother, uncle and cousin".