A CRITICAL care nurse alleged of headbutting a seriously ill patient said he was ‘shocked’ and ‘stunned’ when he realised what had happened.

David Hadfield, 54, claimed he was trying to protect himself from injury when his and 72-year-old Thomas Bretherton’s heads collided.

The defendant, who was working at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, denied he had ‘snapped’ while treating the pensioner, who was ‘confused’ and ‘agitated’ because of the medication he was on and was wearing a clear soft plastic helmet to help him breathe.

He told Preston Crown Court: “I was shocked, stunned.

“Initially I could not take in what happened. Before I knew it, I was being propelled onto the bed.”

The jury heard how one of Hadfield’s colleagues had to put her hand in between the nurse and Mr Bretherton and shouted ‘stop’.

Hadfield, who the court was told had suffered a ‘burn out’ and depression while working at another hospital, said: “That does not necessarly mean I was doing anything, but obviously there was an incident taking place.

“It was an accident. It was an initial headbut, he headbutted me.

“He initiated the three headbuts. The first time was a complete shock and surprise to me.

“The second was a defensive act to try to protect my head.”

The defendant, of Lower Carr Lane, Oldham, denies a charge of wounding with intent and an alternative charge of unlawful wounding.

He told the court that his main priority on August 6, when the alleged assault happened had been to keep Mr Bretherton, who had been diagnosed with acute pancreatitis, calm and prevent him from ‘fighting’.

Hadfield said: “I said, ‘do not worry, we will not have any more fighting tonight, we will keep you nice and settled and we will do the best for you we can’.”