Rampton patient lashed out at male nurse

The nurse was uninjured, but had to shave off his beard after Zoe Donnelly’s attack on September 9, last year, said Robert Carr, prosecuting.

Donnelly, 20, admitted assault via her solicitor Jamie Nelson, at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Mr Nelson said Donnelly, who has a personality disorder and learning difficulties, couldn’t recall the incident.

He said she been detained under the Mental Health Act since she was 15 in “increasing levels of security”, and had tried to hurt herself and lashed out at staff in the past.

She was transferred to Rampton a year ago, but “has since made a great deal of progress,” added Mr Nelson.

“I think it is fair to say that she has become institutionalised,” he said.

Donnelly was ordered to pay £100 compensation, but no court costs were awarded.