Ruislip & Eastcote & Northwood Gazette
Mentally ill man ran through hospital brandishing a knife
COURT SHOWN FOOTAGE OF DEFENDANT RUNNING THROUGH A&E CHASED BY STAFF
A MAN ran through a major London hospital with a kitchen knife while being chased by 10 members of hospital staff.
Peter Lee Knight, 42, appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, July 5 after being convicted of affray and possessing a kitchen knife following the incident at St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington – the same hospital in which royals, including the three Cambridge children, were born.
During the sentencing hearing, the court was shown CCTV footage in which Knight, who lives in Jerome Crescent, Marylebone, is seen brandishing a large knife in A&E and being chased by at least 10 staff.
The prosecution, Ms Ahmed, detailed how Knight, who has had mental health issues since childhood, including borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression and suicide attempts, had gone into hospital for mental health help on October 25 2021.
In the psychiatric unit of A&E, Mr Knight “pulled out a knife then ran through the hospital and was detained in the foyer”.
District Judge Neeta Minhas added: “He was running around the hospital with 10 members of staff following him around, taking them away from other patients.”
The defence, Mr Heidar, said the staff in the psychiatric cubicle knew Mr Knight as they had dealings with him before. He said Mr Knight told a nurse he had a knife and pulled it out. Once he saw security, he tried to leave the building.
Mr Heidar added that when secu
rity spoke to Knight he “appeared vacant”.
Mr Heidar also elaborated on Mr Knight’s mental health issues. He explained that Knight’s parents and both of his siblings have passed away and that Knight has had mental health issues since childhood.
He told the court he had made several attempts to take his own life in the past and had missed his first trial date as he had attempted to take his life once again. Mr Heidar added that Knight had been released into the community before the incident at St Mary’s and was told to go to hospital when he felt unwell.
The court heard that Knight has a “drink issue” and feels suicidal under the influence of alcohol.
A security guard said in the earlier trial that Knight had been intoxicated during the incident in October. The court also heard that alcohol played a “major part” and “needs to be addressed”.
Appealing to the judge, Mr Heidar said: “I feel if he is sentenced to prison [it] could well do him more harm than good. It has been the view of court so far that he can be rehabilitated.”
Judge Minhas committed the case for sentencing to Southwark Crown Court. Releasing Knight on unconditional bail, she said: “I have concerns [about] how much is mental health or drink related. I don’t think it should remain in this court. The starting point for even brandishing a knife is one year and six months. He will potentially be eligible for alcohol treatment requirement.”
Knight was convicted on June 7 after pleading not guilty to both charges. The first charge was for using or threatening unlawful violence towards other persons “such that a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene would fear their personal safety”.
The second charge was possessing a kitchen knife without good reason or lawful authority. The date of Knight’s sentencing at Southwark Crown Court is yet to be set.