A killer was released from mental health units and hospitals at least 30 times before he battered a grandfather to death, a court has heard.

John Bass, 50, also had numerous convictions for violence before he attacked musician Mark Austin, who died a day later.

Bass was charged with murder but after being assessed and sectioned under the Mental Health Act, prosecutors dropped the charge and tried him for manslaughter instead.

A jury at Reading Crown Court convicted Bass of the charge earlier this year and a judge at the same court placed him under a hospital order with strict conditions yesterday.

The court heard that both Bass and his victim had been drinking at a mutual friend’s home in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, when Mr Austin went to lie down in a bedroom.

Bass, who suffers from bi-polar affective disorder, then went into the room and began punching grandfather-of-five Mr Austin.

One of the blows damaged Mr Austin’s liver and he suffered internal bleeding, which killed him within 36 hours.

Sentencing Bass, Judge John Reddihough said: ‘On at least 30 previous occasions this defendant has been sent to or admitted to psychiatric or similar hospitals because of his long-standing mental disorder.

‘It is also recorded that apart from the previous convictions for violence on a number of occasions he has been responsible for violence towards staff or medical staff at the hospitals where he has been a patient.

‘The court clearly has to have regard to his mental disorder and particularly to the potential dangers it may present in the future to other members of the public.’

Daniel Fugallo, prosecuting, had earlier set out what he called Bass’s ‘very full history of aggressive behaviour’.

He said Bass’s first offence of violence, more than 20 years ago, resulted in him being put before Aylesbury Magistrates’ Court for an offence of inflicting actual bodily harm (ABH).

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A 50-year-old man has been convicted of manslaughter today (24/2).

John Bass, formerly of Arundel Green, Aylesbury was found guilty of the charge following a two-week trial at Reading Crown Court.

The victim, Mark Austin, aged 53, of Coxhill Way, Aylesbury, died on 1 February 2013 at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

At about 1am the day before, police had been called to a property in Harcourt Green, Aylesbury to reports of an altercation between the two men.

Officers arrested John Bass shortly afterwards at 1:20am at his home not far from Harcourt Green.

Mr Austin sustained serious injuries as a result of this assault and was taken to the hospital where he died the following day.

Whilst in custody John Bass was sectioned under the Mental Health Act and was subsequently charged with the murder of Mark Austin in May 2013.

Senior Investigating Officer, Det Chief Insp Kevin Brown said: “John Bass carried out a sustained attack on a man who believed him to be a friend whilst drinking socially with him and another. The victim, Mark Austin, was, physically, a much smaller man than his attacker and was left with a severe injury by the assault from which he died a day later.

“This has been a very sad case that has left a family mourning the loss of their son and brother. I am pleased for Mark’s family that justice has been done and I know they are grateful for the hard work that has gone into the case from the police and CPS. I hope that the conclusion of this case will allow them to move on with their lives.”

John Bass is due to be sentenced at Reading Crown Court on 28 March.