A NURSE working at Royal Blackburn Hospital was attacked by a patient.
Blackburn magistrates heard Ian Anthony Litherland approached the nurse from behind and refused to let go despite her screams of protest.
And when security staff rushed to her assistance, Litherland shouted racist abuse at them.
Litherland, 47, of Hornby Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to assaulting Alison Pickford and using racially aggravated threatening behaviour.
He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
Peter Wilde, prosecuting, said the victim of the assault was extremely upset by the incident.
“She says that in 15 years as a nurse it is only the second time she has been assaulted by a patient,” said Mr Wilde.
Emma Morrissey, defending, said her client had mental health issues and had recently been sectioned after throwing himself off a bridge.
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