Bradford stabbing: Man who attacked health worker hospitalised

A man who stabbed a nurse in the back at a Bradford medical centre has been given an indefinite commitment to a psychiatric hospital.

Brian Clifton, 63, who suffers from schizophrenia, attacked the woman in March 2023 during a blood test appointment at the doctor’s office on New Otley Road.

Bradford Crown Court heard the healthcare worker felt two sharp blows to her upper back and saw her patient holding a knife.

Clifton, of Barkerend Road, Bradford, admitted assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and was sentenced to a commitment under the Mental Health Act.

The court heard that he had been sentenced to nine years in prison in 1996 for false imprisonment and indecent assault on a health professional, following another serious assault on a health professional.

In the incident on March 31 last year in New Otley Road, the court heard how the healthcare worker realised she had been stabbed and fled the room screaming.

She was helped by a doctor who locked himself in another room with her while he gave her first aid.

The police were called and found the knife hidden in the fold of the treatment table in the room where the attack had taken place.

In a victim impact statement, the plaintiff said working in healthcare is her passion and the attack has impacted her daily life.

She described Clifton as the “monster” that lived inside her head.

The judge, Recorder Anthony Hawks, said it was clear that Clifton had a long history of suffering from schizoaffective disorder and he was satisfied that the order under the Mental Health Act was necessary.

He said Clifton would not be released without the permission of the Foreign Secretary.