A patient in a mental hospital has been sent to crown court for sentencing after attacking a support worker and a nurse.

Hassan Syed, of St Clement’s Hospital, Foxhall Road, Ipswich, pleaded guilty before the town’s magistrates to causing actual bodily harm to Steve Forster and Coral Williamson on September 15.

Prosecutor Wayne Ablett said both victims were members of staff at St Clement’s.

Mr Forster is a clinical support worker and Mrs Williamson is a nurse. Mr Forster had been playing cards with Syed, 26. Shortly afterwards Syed went to his room.

Around 90 minutes later Mr Forster heard Syed’s door slam. Syed was challenged about his behaviour but there were further loud bangs heard. Syed punched a wall and water machine.

Mr Forster tried to restrain him, putting his arms around Syed and walking him into the bedroom.

While trying to get Syed to bed Mr Forster was kicked hard in the face and Syed swung a number of punches at other staff. Coral Williamson was headbutted in the face.

Both members of staff needed hospital treatment, the court heard. Syed had been admitted in 2014 with paranoid schizophrenia, but no longer shows any sign of that condition. Magistrates were told Syed has a mixed personality disorder.

Mrs Williamson suffered concussion and post concussion syndrome, including headaches and sleep problems. She has also been left feeling anxious when dealing with Syed and had to take time off because of what had happened. The nurse feels Syed tries to intimidate her.

Mr Forster damaged teeth as a result of the kick in the mouth, which cost him £390 in dental treatment.

The court heard Syed had been given a hospital order to be detained at St Clement’s in 2015 after a conviction at Ipswich Crown Court for GBH. A similar order was imposed in 2010 after he committed a robbery.

Ian Persaud, representing Syed, said there had been problems with his client’s medication in the lead up to the latest assaults.

Mr Persaud added: “On the day in question he was hearing voices and became disturbed. It led to the incident occurring. After the incident, in the following days he apologised to the members of staff concerned.”