A man being held in a secure mental health unit headbutted a nursing assistant after flying into a rage.
Michael Fowell, 40, of no fixed abode, was a patient at the Scott Clinic in Rainhill when the incident occurred in July 2020. The clinic has now closed and been replaced by a new mental health facility near high-security Ashworth hospital.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Fowell became annoyed when his exercise time was delayed by another patient who had become unwell and was being looked after by staff.
READ MORE : 'Deli mob' enforcer charged £10,000 to blind people
Stuart Mills, prosecuting, said: "The victim, Geoffrey Brown, was employed as a mental health nursing assistant at the medium secure unit. Fowell was an inpatient who'd been detained under the Mental Health Act.
"A patient was unwell and was being treated in one of the rooms. The defendant took exception to this and became more and more angry about it. He was spoken to by Mr Brown who asked him to remain calm.
"Fowell seemed to comply, then for no reason whatever he headbutted Mr Brown to the left side of his forehead. He was later examined and found to have a 2cm swelling to the area."
The court heard that Fowell had a history of violent offending, which included jail terms for aggravated burglary, GBH with intent, and assaulting a prison officer.
Fowell was found guilty of the offence of assault on an emergency worker by a jury last month. He was due to appear by videolink from the prison where he is currently being held for sentencing, but he refused to attend.
He also chose not to be represented in court.
Recorder Mr Simon Parrington said Fowell's behaviour was "wholly unacceptable" and he had a serious record involving violence. He sentenced him to eight months in prison.
