The attack happened in a garden at the Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli
Joni Hartson was jailed for the attack at the hospital in Llanelli(Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE)
A 22-year-old hospital patient has been jailed for punching a female retired detective 33 times in a hospital garden. Joni Hartson, 22, launched a brutal attack on a former Royal protection officer. A court heard the pair were both patients on a hospital ward when Hartson lured Dawn Lloyd, 67, into the back garden after targeting her because of her age.
Prosecutor Alex Orndal said footage captured Hartson punching Miss Lloyd 33 times on October 18 last year – leaving her with a bleed on the brain. Cardiff Crown Court heard Hartson later admitted: “I wish I had killed her.”
Mr Orndal said: “It is estimated there was approximately 33 strikes by the defendant. Miss Lloyd is described as not doing anything other than raising her arms to protect herself in that footage.”
The court heard Hartson, who has autism, was a patient at Bryngofal Ward in Prince Philip Hospital in Llanelli. For the latest court reports sign up to our crime newsletter here
He had not been sectioned at the time of the attack but was at the hospital due to suicidal thoughts.
Mr Orndal said Hartson, of Stepney Road, Burry Port, Camarthenshire, told officers his “anger came out” when he lured Miss Lloyd into the garden because he knew she was an “easy target”.
He said: “I led her outside and told her to stand still and punched her ten times to the head.”
The court heard Miss Lloyd was a former detective who had served for 17 years in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
In a victim impact statement, her sister said Miss Lloyd was regularly called upon to work with the Royal protection team and later went on to be an office manager working on the Queen’s Jubilee.
Her sister said: “Dawn served diligently and with compassion.”
The court heard Miss Lloyd was suffering from confusion due to an autoimmune condition when she was admitted to the Mental Health Unit at the hospital.
Interim ward manager Hannah Cox said Miss Lloyd’s “demeanour has completely changed” following the attack.
The court heard she had become very anxious and worried and scared of loud noises including doors slamming.
Miss Cox said she was unable to form coherent sentences but did say: “He’s not going to hit me again.”
The court heard Hartson also attacked a healthcare worker days later by punching his arm after he was moved to a hospital in Carmarthen.
Defending, Owen Williams said Hartson was depressed at the time with suicidal thoughts and “possible hallucinations which were commanding in nature”.
Hartson, who had no diagnosis of psychosis, pleaded guilty to GBH and assault of an emergency worker.
Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke jailed Hartson for two years and six months for the “planned and premeditated attack”.
She said: “You selected Miss Lloyd because you could see that she was vulnerable.
“You used those vulnerabilities to select her as a target. You deliberately chose someone who would quite obviously be unable to resist.”
Where to get mental health help and support
Below are some of the helplines and websites that can help you:
Samaritans operates a free 24-hour phone service every day of the year. Just call 116 123 to speak to someone if you need help.
Alternatively, if you prefer to write down how you’re feeling or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans: jo@samaritans.org
PAPYRUS offers trained advisers to provide support to young people experiencing thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned for a young person. Call HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 Text: 07860 039 967 or Email: pat@papyrus-uk.org”
Mind is a mental health charity that provides advice and support to anyone experiencing a mental health problem.
Among its useful support and information pages, mind shares ‘ways to help yourself cope in a crisis’ here