Nurse smashed over head with saucepan in a random attack

‘JEKYLL AND HYDE’ DEFENDANT LATER ASSAULTED HIS MOTHER AND BEAT UP HER PARTNER

A NURSE feared for her life as a stranger randomly and savagely attacked her with a saucepan outside a block of flats.

The woman was struck multiple times “for absolutely no reason”, which caused blood to pour down her face and into her eyes, as she cradled her head on the ground, Leicester Crown Court was told.

The attacker, Daniel Andrews, pictured, who has mental health issues and was described as a Jekyll and Hyde character, was later released on bail on the condition he lived at the home of his mother’s partner, in Barwell.

However, he then turned on his mother’s partner during a petty dispute and repeatedly punched him until he fell to the ground, before turning his wrath on his own mother who tried to stop him by squirting Fairy Liquid into his face.

Caroline Bradley, prosecuting, said the first incident happened when an off-duty nurse and her partner visited a friend’s flat to help fit a carpet, in Dorlcote Court, Nuneaton, on July 8 last year.

The 38-year-old defendant, whose mother lived in the same block, suddenly appeared outside holding a saucepan as the victim was crossing the lawn with her dog.

The prosecutor said: “She thought he was going to throw the pan into a bin, but instead he swung it on to the top of her head.”

Andrews hit her about eight blows on the head, causing gashes that bled profusely – until her partner heard her screaming and shouted for him to stop.

The couple barricaded themselves into their friend’s flat to wait for the police.

The nurse, in a personal impact statement, said the attack left her feeling vulnerable and fearful.

She suffered two cuts on her head, one of which left a visible scar on her forehead.

Andrews admitted causing her actual bodily harm.

He also pleaded guilty to the later incident, when he caused actual bodily harm to his mother, wounded her partner, with intent, and damaged a television and a mirror, on June 6 this year.

Miss Bradley said during a “petty dispute” over a compact disc, the defendant began “relentlessly punching” his mother’s partner “about 30 times,” threatening to kill him.

As the injured man crawled away on his knees, the defendant threw a television at him, broke a mirror and tried to attack him with the shards – until his mother intervened and he punched her in the face.

The defendant pursued his mother’s partner outside and beat him with a rock or stone, causing several cuts and severe bruises.

Miss Bradley said the man was “terrified for his life”.

Michael Garvey, mitigating, said: “He’s a sort of Jekyll and Hyde, but when taking proper medication he’s subdued and able to consider matters and empathise with his victims.

“He’s aware he has problems, but doesn’t always accept the treatment being offered is the right treatment and has lapses, which has an adverse effect, as demonstrated on these two occasions.”

Sentencing, Recorder James House QC said: “All three victims suffered serious injuries and not just physically but psychologically and emotionally.

“The prison mental health team have been working with you and you should appreciate you’re much better when you take your medication.”

The defendant was described as having “autistic traits” with signs of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Andrews was jailed for a total of six-and-a-half years.

He was placed on an indefinite restraining order, banning any contact with his mother’s partner or from entering Barwell.