Nurse Attacked by Patient with Schizophrenia Suffers Facial Stab Wounds

A mental health nurse at the Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend was violently attacked by a patient diagnosed with schizophrenia, sustaining facial injuries that have left her both physically and emotionally scarred. The incident occurred late on October 30, 2024, when 34-year-old patient Alexander Horton, who had been admitted only three days earlier, assaulted the nurse during her routine nightly checks.

According to court proceedings held at Cardiff Crown Court, Horton approached the nurse calmly, requesting assistance before suddenly restraining her in a headlock and stabbing her in the face with a sharpened pen. The attack, which lasted around eight seconds, resulted in two cuts near the nurse’s left eyebrow and left her face covered in blood. Staff intervened swiftly, restraining Horton and rushing the nurse to the A&E department for immediate treatment.

Following the assault, Horton admitted to not taking his medication that day, saying he felt overwhelmed and “trapped,” leading to a breaking point. He expressed remorse for his actions after the attack. Horton pleaded guilty to intentional strangulation and a section 18 wounding charge; notably, he had no prior criminal history.

In a victim impact statement, the nurse described ongoing fear and anxiety when performing her duties, particularly around male patients, fearful that another attack might occur. She also spoke of the emotional toll of living with visible scars that force her to relive the traumatic experience repeatedly.

Judge Paul Hobson, when sentencing Horton, emphasized the gravity of the crime and the lasting effect it had on the nurse, who was simply trying to care for a vulnerable patient. Horton was subsequently placed under a hospital order in accordance with section 37 of the Mental Health Act to receive further psychiatric treatment.