A man punched a nurse in the face after he 'mistook his cough for him laughing'.
Nathan Wild, 19, was a patient at Fairfield hospital when he took issue with how staff were treating a patient.
As one of the staff nurses restrained the woman in order to administer her medication, Wild ran into the room and shouted at them to leave her alone, Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
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After he was escorted away, the nurse left the room, before Wild demanded to know why male staff entered the female ward and became 'aggressive and threatening'.
As the nurse went to walk past Wild, he coughed. Wild accused him of laughing at him.
The nurse told Wild he wasn't laughing, before the defendant punched him in the face, knocking him to the floor.
Wild, from Salford, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm. He was handed an 18-month community order.
Prosecuting, Jane Dagnall earlier told the court that on September 6 last year, Wild was detained under the Mental Health Act at Fairfield hospital.
The nurse he hit was left with 'pain and tenderness'.
Wild told police he said he had been provoked as he was laughed at - and that he ‘blacked out’ and had ‘tunnel vision’ when he punched the man in the face.
In a statement, the nurse said the attack affected his confidence and that he enjoyed helping people and seeing them recover.
He said he felt he had built up a good relationship with Wild, who has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, Thomas McKail said his client had significant difficulties with drugs and mental health problems and had been detained under the Mental Health Act for two-and-a-half years.
“He has misinterpreted that situation that day - he had tunnel vision,” he said.
“He was having a particularly troublesome day, it was the anniversary of his friend’s death and he has lashed out.
“There is genuine remorse.
“Since then he has made significant changes, he finds himself in semi-supported accommodation and he is looking for a job.”
Mr McKail added: “He is making strides forward and trying to put this matter behind him.”
Sentencing, Judge Tina Landale said: “You have admitted what you have done and you are trying very hard to be a good person and get on with your life and move on.
“You are only just 19, you really need this support, you must make sure you accept it.
“Stay off the drugs and stay out of trouble.”
Wild, of Rothwell Crescent, was handed an 18 month community order, and was ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and a six-month drug rehabilitation requirement.
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