UK-born Anthony James Jenkins, 21, today was accused of slightly injuring a nurse on 26 August at Mount Carmel Hospital, after he threw a roundhouse punch in her direction, hitting her.
She then fell on the floor, and her attacker attempted to continue the attack, climbing on top of her. The court heard how two patients came and pulled the man away from her.
He was charged with threatening and injuring the nurse.
The court heard how the man is homeless, and went in and out of Mt Carmel on a voluntary basis, for the past year.
He did not want a lawyer to defend him. The court, however, ordered legal aid lawyer Fransina Abela to be assigned to him, and stressed that it was up to the accused whether he wanted to consult with her or not.
Police Inspector Roderick Spiteri told the court that Mr Jenkins had expressed that he was sorry for what he did.
After the accused admitted to the crime, Magistrate Ian Farrugia gave him a chance to speak his mind prior to delivering his judgment, to which Jenkins just remained silent. After viewing CCTV footage of the incident showing the assault, the Magistrate decided to hand down a 15-month prison sentence.
He ordered that the man be evaluated to see where he should spend his prison term, and that the Mount Carmel authorities should also be consulted.