A former psychiatric ward patient who stabbed a doctor after "hearing voices" was jailed for 15 months.

Nigel Sabine, 36, attacked Dr John Hargreaves at Eastbourne District General Hospital after returning to visit a friend in January.

He also kicked and punched Celine Dunlop, a woman patient he formed a relationship with during a stay on the ward.

Richard Jury, prosecuting, told Lewes Crown Court yesterday: "He appeared to engage in an argument with her in the corridor at the top of some stairs.

"Staff saw the defendant was kicking her head and body and he punched her.

"One managed to pull Miss Dunlop away through a door and shut it. He began kicking at the door.

"At that time Dr Hargreaves was arriving to make a routine call. He saw the defendant coming towards him and he was struck in the mouth area.

"Dr Hargreaves lost his balance and about that time he felt a blow to his back on the left side.

"The defendant is reported to have said, 'Do you want to die?' and held a knife above his head.

"Dr Hargreaves ran into another ward and it was then he realised he had a stab wound to his back."

Sabine, of Mallard Close, Eastbourne, then fled the ward, threatening staff on his way. He was arrested shortly afterwards.

Mr Jury said: "He said he could not recall producing a knife. He remembered a scuffle with Miss Dunlop but not kicking her.

"He went on to say he had heard voices in relation to this matter."

Sabine, who had previous convictions for assault, admitted affray and unlawful wounding.

Six days before the incident he had been given a two-year conditional discharge by Eastbourne magistrates for driving while disqualified.

Frank Winslett, defending, said: "He said he carried the knife for protection. There was an incident back in December where he was pushed down some stairs."

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall sentenced Sabine to 15 months for unlawful wounding and 12 months for affray, to run concurrently. He ordered no separate penalty for breaching the conditional discharge.