Soans-Wade claimed he was mentally ill

Stephen Soans-Wade, 36, of Poplar, east London, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Christophe Duclos on grounds of diminished responsibility.

But the jury found him guilty of murder after hearing his history of personality disorder and violence.

Soans-Wade was remanded in custody until sentencing on 23 February, but was told to expect a life term.

Mental illness

The court was told that after riding on the London underground for hours, Soans-Wade spotted Mr Duclos, 37, standing on the platform at Mile End, east London, on 13 September 2002.

The French security guard, who had worked in England for six years, was pushed onto the track as a train came into the station.

Soans-Wade carried out his threat to push someone under a train after being turned away from hospitals where doctors said he was not mentally ill.

In the six weeks leading to Mr Duclos's death, Soans-Wade had been to St Clement's Hospital, Bow, east London, on three occasions on a voluntary basis but was discharged because he did not show signs of mental illness.

Security guard Mr Duclos had worked in England for six years

He had been tested positive for heroin and cocaine on his arrest and was also taking methadone prescribed for him.

He had been desperate to get into hospital "at all costs", the Old Bailey was told.

He said voices had told him to push Mr Duclos, but prosecution psychiatrist Dr Philip Joseph disputed his actions were caused by voices.

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity SANE, said the case exposed a loophole in mental health law.

No imminent risk

She said: "We need more specialist teams and units for people with complex, severe personality disorder where they can be assessed and managed before a tragedy happens."

Soans-Wade made several attempts to be admitted at the A&E departments of the Royal London, St Thomas's and King's College hospitals in London.

But two doctors said he was not mentally ill and his threat was too vague to constitute an imminent risk.