A CARER at Calderstones hospital was knocked unconscious when he was punched from behind by a patient who he thought he had a good relationship with.

Blackburn magistrates heard the carer had gone out of his way to say hello to Scott Anthony Sharratt who responded with a blow to the back of his head.

William Aspin came to on the floor in the recovery position with someone giving him oxygen.

Sharratt, 32, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Aspin causing him actual bodily harm.

He was ordered to pay £300 compensation, £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.

Andy Robinson, prosecuting, said CCTV footage of the incident showed Sharratt punching Mr Aspin from behind.

The aggrieved said it was the third time he had been assaulted by Sharratt but he hadn't reported those incidents.

Colleen Dickinson-Jones, defending, said one of her client's conditions resulted in him hearing voices in his head.

"He hadn't been taking his medication and the voices in his head on that day were very, very severe," said Mrs Dickinson-Jones.