A nurse shared her frightening experience of being attacked by a mentally ill patient, resulting in blood flowing down her face. The incident occurred at Broadmoor hospital when Linda McKinlay tried to prevent Jonty Bravery from harming himself. Bravery, 24, was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison for assaulting McKinlay and her colleague Kate Mastalerz in September 2024.
Following a trial at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, Bravery was found guilty of assaulting the nurses. Video evidence presented in court depicted the struggle between the nurses and Bravery before additional staff intervened to assist.
McKinlay, who has worked at Broadmoor for an extended period, expressed her shock at the attack, stating that it was her first encounter with violence at the facility. She described how Bravery scratched her face, causing injuries that required hospital treatment. Mastalerz also suffered physical harm during the altercation, resulting in a bruised thigh.
The Crown Prosecution Service’s Jessica Hart labeled the incident as violent and distressing for the nurses, emphasizing that no caregiver should face such aggression while on duty. Despite Bravery’s absence at the trial, the prosecution successfully obtained a conviction based on the compelling evidence presented, including witness testimonies and images of the injuries sustained by one of the nurses.
In addition to his recent assault, Bravery had previously received a 14-week jail term in 2020 for attacking other staff members at Broadmoor Hospital. Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who presided over Bravery’s case, noted that those caring for Bravery were often the targets of his violence. The judge imposed a life sentence with a minimum 15-year term on Bravery, underscoring the unlikelihood of his release unless significant changes occur. Additionally, Bravery was fined £350 for his actions.
Despite being absent from the court hearing, Bravery’s violent behavior towards the nurses was recounted, with details of his physical attacks on McKinlay and Mastalerz. The court highlighted Bravery’s substantial mental health challenges as a factor considered during sentencing.
Bravery’s repeated acts of violence have raised concerns about his potential release after the minimum term is served, given his history of aggression towards caregivers.