A MAN was attacked by his drunken nephew as he lay in a hospital bed.

Blackburn magistrates heard Aqib Nawaz repeatedly punched his uncle who was being treated in the acute medical unit at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

He ignored the efforts of a nurse, who was removing a drip from the patient, to stop the attack and she had to leave the room to call for assistance.

Nawaz, 24, of St Marks Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to assaulting Mohammed Ijaz and breaching a restraining order. He was bailed until October 2.

Prosecutor Catherine Allan said there had been previous issues involving Nawaz and his uncle culminating in the nephew's conviction for criminal damage in July and the making of the restraining order.

Last Friday, Mr Ijaz was in his room on the acute medical unit and a drip was being removed from his arm when Nawaz walked in.

“He was drunk and the nurse immediately asked him to leave but he refused,” said Miss Allan.

“He then punched the aggrieved to the side of the head and his face as he covered up.

"He then punched him in the stomach.”

Miss Allan said the nurse could not reach the emergency button but managed to open the door and shout for help.

Zabair Afzal, defending, outlined the background to the offence which was not accepted by the prosecution.

He said he assaulted his uncle because he couldn’t contain his anger.

“He is thoroughly ashamed of his behaviour and through me apologises,” said Mr Afzal.