Man jailed for stabbing fellow patient at St Thomas' Hospital

51-year-old Keith Young, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 16 years' imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday.

He was found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent at the same court on Wednesday 5 April.

Police were called to reports of an assault at St Thomas' Hospital at about 8am on Friday 14 October.

Officers found the 32-year-old victim with stab wounds to his upper torso, neck, face and finger.

The victim was asleep in a general ward in the hospital when he was woken up with Young on his bed attacking him with a scalpel.

The victim called for help and a nurse rushed to the victim's aid. The nurse pulled Young away from the victim but Young then shouted: "He attacked me."

Young was then detained by hospital staff until the police arrived.

The victim, who had never met Young, was covered in blood and was attacked with such ferocity that the scalpel blade broke and was embedded in his nose.

When Young was arrested just before 10am he said: "You've got it wrong. He attacked me."

When interviewed Young denied attacking anyone and said he was asleep at the time of the incident.

DC Janan Sasitharan, the investigating officer from Lambeth CID, said: "Young carried out a vicious, unprovoked attack on the victim. The victim was vulnerable and unable to defend himself as he was asleep at the time of the incident.

"Young has shown no remorse and has continued to refuse to take any responsibility for his actions on that day.

"I would like to commend the victim for his bravery and for assisting us with our investigation so we could bring Young to justice.

"I would also like to praise the brave and quick actions of the staff at St Thomas' Hospital – they are a credit to their caring profession.

"They showed no hesitation in placing themselves in danger for the protection of their patient and in assisting police in the investigation all the way through to court."