Hospital patient accused of threatening to kill social worker

Tyrone Benson, 24, of De Lacy Court, Ollerton, was attending the hospital because his mother had concerns about his mental health. But comments he made to staff led to him being arrested, as well as sectioned.

Benson appeared at Nottingham Crown Court via video-link from Nottingham Prison, charged with making to Susan Weaver a threat to kill Sam McMurdo, intending to cause fear that the threat would be carried out. It was said to have happened at the hospital on Wednesday, April 6.

The case was adjourned by Judge Jeremy Lea after a successful application by Benson’s barrister, Phillip Plant, defending, for a full psychiatric assessment to be carried out.

“We need to find out his diagnosis and what was happening on that day,” said Mr Plant. “It may well impinge on his plea.”

The judge agreed it would be “an appropriate report”, although Gareth Gimson, prosecuting, pointed out: “There is an element of intent in this case. It is not just a question of something that was said.”

The case was put back to Wednesday, July 13, until when Benson will be remanded in custody.