Vicious assault at Leeds hospital left nurse with smashed ribs and punctured lungs
Mentally-ill patient detained after serious assault on staff member.
A man suffering from schizophrenia left a nurse with serious injuries after attacking him in a secure unit.
Jordan Kent was handed a hospital order, rather than a prison sentence, at Leeds Crown Court after admitting GBH without intent on the staff worker.
The 29-year-old had been receiving treatment at the Newsam Centre mental-health unit at Seacroft Hospital in 2024, prosecutor Zanisha Herbert told the court.
On December 30 he became abusive and had to be restrained by several members of staff which included the victim.
Later that day Kent was walking along the corridor when he came across the nurse, whom he then shoulder barged, causing the worker to fall and injure himself.
Kent then began raining blows down on him before other staff could intervene.
The nurse was taken to Leeds General Infirmary where it was found he had suffered seven fractured ribs which had become detached from his rib cage.
He had also two punctured lungs, a fractured shoulder and breaks to bones in his back. He required emergency surgery.
He then contracted pneumonia but was discharged on January 9.
The court heard he may need further surgery and has permanent nerve damage.
No mitigation was offered, but a psychiatrist gave evidence during the hearing and supported a hospital order to detain Kent.
Judge Ray Singh imposed a Section 37 hospital order with Section 41 restrictions.
This means Kent is detained in a psychiatric unit rather than prison, and his eventual release can only be sanctioned by the secretary of state.