FORMER soldier Danielle Frances Gillibrand joined in with another patient at Queen's Park Hospital, Blackburn, psychiatric ward who had launched an attack on a nurse.

Blackburn magistrates heard the female nurse was attacked after telling in-patient Donna Sykes to turn down the music in the day room.

And as she tried to escape from the punches being rained on her Gillibrand joined in and held her.

Gillibrand, 20, of Lancaster Drive, Clayton-le-Moors, who had been convicted of assault in her absence on a previous occasion, was given a conditional discharge for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay £200 compensation and £60 costs.

David Macro, prosecuting, said a male member of staff had eventually restrained Sykes and Gillibrand. He said the nurse had suffered a sprained wrist and shoulder and swelling to her cheek.

Ian Holland, defending, said at the time of the incident Gillibrand had been discharged from the unit and was waiting for transport home. During her time there she had formed a friendship with Donna Sykes and when she saw her struggling with the nurse had gone to her assistance.

Mr Holland said Gillibrand had been serving in the Army until March of last year, when she had been discharged on medical grounds. She had some problems in the Summer and, as a result, needed some psychiatric help.

Mr Holland said she has now applied to join the fire brigade.