A 60-YEAR-OLD hospital patient assaulted two members of staff as they went about their ward duties.

Blackburn magistrates heard Sean Peter Twomey slammed a cup of coffee down splashing a housekeeper with the hot liquid.

Three days later he lashed out at the same victim, slapping her on the arms as she protected her face.

And on the same day he threw a punch at an auxilliary nurse, catching her on the shoulder.

Twomey, of Delph Lane, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to two charges of assaulting Julie Richardson and one of assaulting Pamela Murphy at Royal Blackburn Hospital. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £50 compensation for each assault and £30 victim surcharge.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said the first assault came after Mrs Richardson put a cup of coffee on his table.

“He would normally have a cup with two handles but she didn’t have any of those and put one with one handle on his table,” said Mrs White.”He said he wanted one with two handles, grabbed the cup and slammed it down on the trolley. The coffee spilled onto her arms and chest.”

Mrs Richardson told him he could have really burned her and he responded with an expletive.

The other offences occurred three days later. Mrs Richardson was collecting cups that had been used and asked him if he had finished. He told her to go away in an offensive way and then came towards her.

“She put her arms up to protect herself and was slapped on the arm,” said Mrs White. “She describes herself as dazed and shocked by what had happened.”

Later the same day Miss Murphy was checking that patients had eaten their meal. As she walked past his bed he jumped up out of his chair and threw a punch at her.

“He called her a name and muttered other things under his breath,” said Mrs White. “The most aggravating feature of these incidents is that these were hospital staff trying to carry out their duties, assisting the defendant as they did so.”

Sarah Aslam, defending, said her client had been a lorry driver for many years until he broke his neck which resulted in a plate being inserted in his spine. Later there was an arson attack on his home.

“It has taken him four years to repair his home but that refurbishment is not complete because he can’t afford it now he can’t work,” said Miss Aslam. “His actions were brought on by frustration rather than any intention to cause harm.

" He felt he was being rushed and reacted out of frustration.”