A mentally ill Felixstowe man who was pulled from a car by police officers after it caught fire has been made the subject of an interim hospital order.

Robert Sutherland, 36, who has been in custody since February, had been waiting for a bed at a suitable establishment to become available, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

On Tuesday, his barrister Harry Warner told a judge at Ipswich Crown Court he had been informed a bed would be available for Sutherland, who has been diagnosed with a mental disorder, at the Norvic Clinic in Norwich within the next 28 days.

He said Sutherland, who has no previous convictions, had received very little treatment since his remand in custody and was frustrated with the situation he found himself in.

Judge John Devaux said having read two psychiatric reports it was clear Sutherland needed “some serious intervention” and agreed to make an interim 12-week hospital order. He adjourned Sutherland’s case until January 10 and imposed an interim driving ban.

Sutherland, of Foxgrove Gardens, Felixstowe has admitted dangerous driving on roads in Felixstowe including High Road East, Fleetwood Road, Beatrice Avenue, Grove Road and Candlet Road and on the old A45 at Levington.

He has also admitted assaulting a policeman causing him actual bodily harm.

An earlier court hearing following Sutherland’s arrest heard that a car was spotted by police in the Felixstowe area around 5.50pm on February 15 and was followed by officers.

The vehicle then stopped in Levington and caught fire.

A man was pulled from the vehicle by police and an officer required hospital treatment for a head wound after being assaulted.