A doctor stabbed by his own patient says he has forgiven him and wants to continue helping him.

Dr Robert Chaplin was stabbed in the kidney and his colleague Graeme Gunn also injured when they were attacked by Essam Karrar, a schizophrenic, in Blackbird Leys, Oxford, in February.

Today, Judge Patrick Eccles labelled the pair "heroes" after hearing Dr Chaplin had forgiven Karrar — who was ordered to remain in hospital indefinitely — and wanted to continue treating him.

Jennifer Edwards, prosecuting, told Oxford Crown Court that Karrar's father called mental health workers on the day of the attack because he feared for his son's state of mind.

They arrived at Karrar's home in Celandine Place and found the 42-year-old with blood stains on his sleeves and groin after trying to cut off his own genitals. Miss Edwards said: "It started with Mr Karrar punching Mr Gunn in the upper body and a struggle ensued.

"The struggle continued with Mr Karrar clutching the knife. Efforts were made to pull him away.

"Eventually Dr Chaplin managed to grab the knife by the blade, cutting his hands while doing so, and they were able to leave."

Miss Edwards said the pair ran to a nearby medical centre where they received first aid while waiting for an ambulance.

Mr Gunn received a 15cm-deep stab wound to his abdomen and Dr Chaplin was stabbed in the kidney — an injury which was treated as life-threatening — and was in hospital for several days.

Miss Edwards said: "Dr Chaplin has forgiven him for what he did and is keen to continue involvement in his treatment."

Karrar admitted two charges of wounding with intent.

John Price, defending, said: "He is a man of good character, a family man, a married man.

"His responsibility for his actions on that day were very substantially reduced by his illness."

Sentencing him, Judge Eccles said: "This court appreciates no matter how skilled nurses, psychiatrists and support workers may be, each of them knows patients such as you, in a moment of crisis, may turn on them and inflict violence, injury and sometimes even death.

"They may be heroes without medals but, in my judgement, they are heroes nonetheless."

The order means Karrar will live in secure accommodation in Milton Keynes until officials from the Ministry of Justice give approval for his release.

He will then be subject to a restriction order which means he could be recalled at any time.

A spokesman for Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said: "We would like to praise the efforts of the staff involved who not only acted to ensure the safety of the patient and each other during the incident, but have continued to use their expertise to care for patients.

"The trust takes the safety of its patients and staff very seriously.

"Mandatory training is provided to all staff who have regular contact with patients."