The sentence passed on Lionel Hawke includes three years' supervision and a requirement to undertake any mental health treatment deemed appropriate.

Hawke (22), of Every Street, Nelson, attacked Patricia Whalley when he was a patient at the Royal Blackburn Hospital, and she was left with a bloodied nose.

In other incidents, he admitted attacks on police officers trying to arrest him.

He was sentenced for an actual bodily harm assault, police assault, resisting arrest, damage and harassment when he appeared at Preston Crown Court.

Judge Beverly Lunt had previously decided Hawke should be seen by a psychiatrist to assess if he could be cared for in the community.

At an earlier hearing, the court heard Hawke had been suffering from paranoid psychosis and epilepsy, and had been behaving in an odd and agitated state before the attack on Sister Whalley.

In his defence it was said he had significant mental health problems but his condition had been described as manageable on medication.

The prosecution had alleged Hawke was arrested in Nelson centre after being abusive and loud. He lost control and kicked out at a police officer, hitting him in the knees. He then assaulted a second officer and sank his teeth into another's thumb.

After the hospital incident, Hawke bent an officer's finger backwards, causing soreness. He was put in a holding cell and headbutted the walls, cutting himself and smearing them with blood.

Hawke apologised for having injured anybody and at a recent hearing told the judge he had been taking his medication and felt much better.