Shocking moment knifeman threatens A&E staff caught on camera

A man who threatened hospital staff with a knife during an incident in the accident and emergency department in Brighton has been jailed.

Joshua Byrne carried the knife at the Royal Sussex County Hospital.

Footage showed him lunge towards a security guard, shouting: “I will stab you in the face!”

He took a mobile phone from a patient by force and narrowly missed stabbing a nurse.

PC Greg Devlin and PC Max Setra, from the Roads Policing Unit, were the first to arrive at the scene and used a taser to end the incident safely and arrest him.

At Lewes Crown Court on Tuesday 20 February, Byrne admitted trying to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, threatening a person with a knife in and affray.

Judge Christine Laing, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove, praised the bravery and professionalism of hospital staff and security guards and the officers who detained Byrne.

In particular, the hospital staff kept calm under pressure, escorting patients and members of the public to safety.

They protected other patients who could not be moved from the A&E department during the incident which lasted for 20 terrifying minutes at about 11pm on Tuesday 3 October.

Chief Superintendent Rachel Carr, the divisional commander for Brighton and Hove, said: “The actions of the hospital and security staff were incredible that night.

“It was a distressing incident for everyone in the hospital but the staff’s professional actions ensured vulnerable patients were protected.

“Byrne’s actions were highly reckless, putting his own safety and the safety of everyone else at risk.

“He was swiftly arrested and we are pleased that a dangerous criminal has now been sentenced.”

Byrne, 32, unemployed, of Ingram Crescent East, Hove, was jailed to five years in prison and sentenced to a further three years on extended licence.

He had been to the hospital earlier for treatment and was seen outside the A&E department during a fire alarm after he had been discharged.

After arguing with security, he became irate and went into the A&E department, threatening staff and members of the public.

Police received several calls and officers arrived within minutes.

A member of the hospital security team located the traffic officers who arrived first in Bristol Gate and the officers came into the hospital.

Byrne was tasered and detained on the ground.

Later, he told police that he was carrying a knife because he had stolen thousands of pounds from an Albanian drug dealer and felt the need to carry a knife “for protection”.

Chief Inspector Simon Yates, who leads on knife crime and serious violence for Sussex Police, said: “We know that there is increased concern from the public about knife crime.

“Stories in the media and social media can increase these concerns and can lead some individuals to arm themselves with a knife in a misguided attempt to protect themselves.

“Sadly it is becoming commonplace for police officers to encounter weapons such as hunting knives and concealed weapons which have been purchased online, with few, if any, checks to prevent them being used in crime.

“We know that knife crime can destroy the lives of those impacted, their families and loved ones, and our communities.

“Those who carry them often don’t appreciate this impact and don’t appreciate that by carrying a knife, they are far more likely to become a victim of knife crime themselves.

“It is a priority of Sussex Police to tackle knife crime and serious violence, to educate people about knife safety and to work with partners to reduce knife crime and fear of knife crime to keep our communities safe.”