Chat with patient turned into violent attack with coffee table

A SEEMINGLY calm conversation between a psychiatrist and a Rampton patient exploded into violence, a court heard.

David Joseph Pearce, 43, of Derwent Ward at the high security unit in Woodbeck, used a coffee table to attack a consultant psychiatrist who was discussing a change in his medication with him.

He also used it to try to prevent nursing staff from subduing him, Retford Magistrates' Court was told.

The defendant had guilty pleas entered in his absence to two counts of assault. He was fined £50 and was ordered to pay his two victims £150 in compensation each.

Neil Fawcett, prosecuting, told the court the conversation appeared to be in order until Pearce "very, very suddenly" picked up the coffee table and charged at the seated psychiatrist.

He said the defendant grabbed hold of his victim and a struggle ensued.

Nursing staff rushed to his assistance, but were met by Pearce who used the table as a shield. During a struggle to control him, a nurse received a blow thought to be from Pearce before he was eventually restrained.

Pearce's solicitor described him as "extremely unwell" and said he was admitted to Rampton in 1992 after being convicted of manslaughter.

She said he gave full and frank admissions to the charges and has apologised in person to both the psychiatrist and the nurse.