Foul-mouthed patient jailed for three years after further attacks on hospital nurses

Norman Hutchins has a long history of attacking staff at hospital across Yorkshire and was subject to an antisocial behaviour order (Asbo) when he carried out the assaults at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds.

Hutchins, 51, of no fixed address, was found guilty of racially aggravated assault, two offences of common assault and three breaches of an Asbo after a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

The jury heard Hutchins had been admitted to the hospital under the Mental Health Act when he committed the offences on June 6 and 14 this year.

He became abusive to health support worker Rachel Kay after an argument over him having access to a telephone. Hutchins raised his fist and went to punch Miss Kay but another member of staff intervened. Hutchins then told the nurse: “When I get out of here I am going to hunt you down and smash every bone in your body.”

He attacked Miss Kay later that same day, punching her in the side of her face and arm. Eight days later Hutchins attacked charge nurse Alexio Mundoweiyu and shouted racial abuse at him. The court heard Mr Mundoweiyu managed to block punches thrown by Hutchins.

At his sentencing hearing yesterday, the court heard that Hutchins has convictions for assaulting members of staff at Barnsley District Hospital and assaulting a police officer who arrested him at dental practice in York.

He was made the subject of an Asbo banning him from medical premises but has now breached it 13 times. Angus McDonald, for Hutchins, said his client still denied the offences and had refused to co-operate with the probation service.