A CRITICAL care nurse has been found guilty of headbutting a seriously-ill patient.

Following a five-day trial, a jury convicted David Hadfield, 54, of wounding 72-year-old Thomas Bretherton while he was a patient at the Royal Blackburn Hospital.

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He was found not guilty of an alternative count of wounding with intent.

Hadfield has been warned by a judge that he faces a jail term. He was allowed bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Judge Simon Newell, sitting at Preston Crown Court, said: “Given the nature of this assault and the circumstances, there is a likelihood it will be a custodial sentence.”

The jury had been told how Mr Bretherton had been admitted to hospital after suffering from acute pancreatitis.

He was 'confused' and having trouble breathing. The pensioner was wearing a soft plastic hood over his head which had oxygen pumped into it to help him.

When the victim was admitted to the CCU, Hadfield was assigned to his care and promised Mr Bretherton's wife he would look after him.

During the early hours of August 6 last year, Hadfield decided to change the sheets, which woke Mr Bretherton and startled him.

The nurse tried to administer a sedative but as he tried to find the cannula in the back of his patient's hand, their heads collided.

Hadfield said 'come on then' as if he was inviting Mr Bretherton to do it again, Lucy Wood, one of the defendant’s colleagues told the trial.

Hadfield, of Lower Carr Lane, Oldham, then lunged forward another two times causing cuts on the victim's forehead.

Mr Bretherton died shortly after the attack, although his passing was not related to the incident, the court heard.

He will be sentenced on November 25 at Burnley Crown Court.

Christine Pearson, chief nurse at East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “We are pleased that members of our nursing staff had the courage to report what was totally unacceptable behaviour by one of their colleagues, and ensure that David Hadfield was dealt with appropriately, quickly. “Mr Bretherton’s family have suffered greatly and our thoughts are with them. We are grateful to the family for their co-operation and patience in the most difficult circumstances, but we will ensure that their experience helps us improve. We let Mr Bretherton down, and for that we sincerely apologise.”