The report said the man's stabbing could have been averted by better care.

The death of a man stabbed by a mental health patient could have been averted if his care had been better, a report has claimed.

Kevin Price was able to kill James Fortey, 44, because his care and treatment for psychosis linked to depression was not "assertive" enough and the staff who visited him were not adequately supported, the Healthcare Inspectorate of Wales said.

Price's delusions and deteriorating mental state "was a significant warning of increased risk, either to himself or others", but health workers caring for him did not identify the seriousness of the problem, the report claimed.

It added that while the killing of Mr Fortey could not have been predicted, had healthcare workers identified the seriousness of the delusions, the stabbing may not have happened because Price could have been admitted to hospital.

Price, 45, of Stockton Close, Newport, is now indefinitely detained in a secure unit, where he was diagnosed with schizophrenia after the stabbing on Caerleon Road, Newport on August 4, 2007.

He was four when he was first referred to Welsh mental health services and was living at home with his parents before the killing.

But, said the report, the parents "were not provided with appropriate support", despite the fact they were his primary carers.

Healthcare workers the Newport East Community Mental Health Teams (CMHT), run by Gwent Healthcare NHS Trust and Newport City Council, were "for the most part unsupported by senior staff," the investigation added.

Stewart Greenwell, corporate director for care and customers for Newport City Council, said: "This was a tragic case which has obviously had a profound effect on all those involved.

"We would like to reassure all those who require mental health services, and the wider public, that many changes have already been made to mental health provision in the Gwent area and we will continue to review our services."