PATIENTS at a psychiatric hospital near York attacked staff when violence broke out following a review of a patient’s case, a court heard.

Kelvin John, 33, Richard Cascarino, 24, and Ricky Williamson, 29, all residents at Stockton Hall Hospital, in Stockton-on-the-Forest, each previously pleaded guilty to affray, York Crown Court was told. The violence broke out after another patient who had his case reviewed was told he would not be going to a less secure unit.

Judge Ashurst said: “That was a very serious incident of disorder at the hospital when the three of you reacted in a violent and unlawful way because of the response of another patient who was very disappointed by the review of his case.”

Prosecutor Alan Mitcheson said Cascarino assaulted a member of staff, a male nurse, who was knocked to the floor.

John is alleged to have punched a man, a nurse care assistant, in the face. He said Williamson was also described as taking part in the disorder and it was alleged he punched another member of staff in the face.

The Recorder of York, Judge Stephen Ashurst gave John, Cascarino and Williamson each a hospital order, which allows them to be detained in hospital for treatment. He said none of the employees were seriously injured during the attack.

“Incidents like these are very serious. The public know that they [staff] have got an extremely difficult job to do and therefore when people who are receiving treatment at Stockton Hall Hospital behave in a violent way the court has to take a serious view about it.” Mr Mitcheson said that, after the incident occurred, John, Cascarino and Williamson barricaded themselves in a room at the hospital.

A member of staff subsequently managed to persuade them to move the barricades and to receive treatment, he said.

For John, Andrew Byles said there had been no complaints about him since the attack, he had agreed to take the medication offered to him and was keen to engage in occupational therapy groups. Representing Cascarino, Andrew Fitzpatrick said his client accepted he had a mental health illness and that he needed to be treated for it.

For Williamson, Matthew Harding said: “The court will take some encouragement, no doubt, from Mr Williamson indicating that he is obtaining some benefit from his treatment and is willing to continue engaging in that treatment.”