Psychiatrist: Australian banker was in psychotic state when he chained fake bomb to teenager

SYDNEY - A psychiatrist has told a Sydney court that an Australian investment banker was in a psychotic state when he entered a mansion and chained a fake bomb to a teenager's neck.

Psychiatrist Jonathan Phillips told the New South Wales state District Court on Wednesday that 52-year-old Paul Douglas Peters is one the most difficult cases he has ever assessed.

Phillips testified at Peters' sentencing hearing that: "It's unusual for a person with a long and seemingly untroubled life and record to then commit an extremely callous and dangerous act."

Peters pleaded guilty in March to committing a serious indictable offence. He faces up to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced at a later date.