A JUDGE has vowed that health workers will be protected by the courts after he sentenced a patient who smashed a medic's shoulder blade.

Craig Jolly, 20, attacked victim David Hall in anger after being told he was being sectioned, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Jolly was detained in hospital after admitting inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Sentencing, Judge Raymond Bennett said sadly there was now a lot of violence towards hospital staff and they deserved protection. The judge said normally the defendant would have been facing jail but reports suggested that wouldn't be appropriate as he was suffering a mental illness.

Judge Bennett told Jolly: "I am satisfied you will be helped if I make a hospital order. In time, hopefully you will return to normal."

Jolly, of Walton Street, Colne, will be admitted to Burnley General Hospital within 28 days, as soon as a bed is available.

Hugh Barton, prosecuting, told the court in February the defendant was in the psychiatric intensive care unit at the hospital.

A review meeting was held and Jolly was told if he did not agree to remain as a voluntary patient for assessment he would be sectioned.

The defendant stormed out of the meeting and was agitated and upset.

Mr Hall, a clinical leader on the ward, was walking past Jolly and the defendant approached him from behind and without warning punched him in the head.

Mr Hall fell backwards, hit a wall and fell over, banging his head on the floor.

He was knocked unconscious and had no recollection of how he received his injuries.

Mr Barton said Mr Hall suffered a large swelling to his temple, a cut which had to be glued, a sore jaw and X-rays revealed his shoulder blade was fractured.

The defendant was interviewed, said he had been unhappy about the decision and had wanted to leave hospital.

Mark Stuart, defending, said there had been a hospital bed available for Jolly the day before but had been taken that morning.

Staff were very confident another bed would be available within 28 days.