A 24-year-old man has admitted to launching attacks on four members of staff at a mental health hospital.

Joean Joof, who was being treated at Kneesworth House Hospital, in Bassingbourn, pleaded guilty to assaulting the men at the medium-security facility between October and November last year.

Joof, who appeared at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court via video link on Tuesday (February 9), admitted to the four counts of assault by beating.

The hospital decided to press charges against Joof under a “zero tolerance policy” towards violence.

Paul Brown, prosecuting, said the first of the incidents involving two members of staff occurred after Joof was told to turn his music down on October 12, last year.

He said: “Mr Joof then removed his top and wrapped it around his knuckles. He then went down to where the victims were with a bottle of mouth wash and threw it into the eyes of one of the victims.”

As staff tried to control Joof he attempted to escape and punched another member of staff.

In a second incident, Joof punched another member of staff on October 28.

Then, On November 11, Joof lashed out at another employee, wrapping his belt round his hand and hitting the member of staff.

The 24-year-old was ordered to pay £100 compensation to each of the victims.

Magistrate Patrick Sweeney told Joof: “It is no good in taking it out on members of staff as they are trying to help you into the future.”