A psychiatric care unit’s mental health nurse was attacked by a patient with schizophrenia, leaving her with two scars. The incident occurred at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend, where Alexander Horton, 34, had been admitted just three days earlier. Horton launched an unprovoked attack on the nurse during her routine nightly checks, resulting in the nurse being put in a headlock and struck with a sharpened pen.
The nurse suffered two lacerations to her left eyebrow and one to the side. Staff members intervened after approximately eight seconds, and she was quickly taken to the hospital. Horton, expressing remorse, revealed he missed his medication that day, causing him to feel trapped and like the world was ending. Despite having no prior violent history, Horton admitted to intentional strangulation and a wounding offense in court.
The nurse shared her fear and heightened awareness since the attack, mentioning the emotional impact of the scars and the ongoing struggle to forget the incident. Defence lawyers highlighted Horton’s appropriate behavior before the attack, leading to a hospital order under the Mental Health Act. The judge acknowledged the profound effect on the nurse and emphasized the seriousness of Horton’s actions in court.