A PSYCHIATRIC nurse was bitten so hard by a patient she thought a chunk had been taken out of her arm.

Amey Hawes, 25, attacked the nurse while she was a patient at Sevenacres in July this year.

She also kicked another health worker in the stomach during an altercation about her medication, Isle of Wight magistrates heard.

Hawes, who is still a patient at the hospital, admitted two assault charges when she appeared before the bench today (Monday).

The court was told Hawes had been due to have overnight leave from the hospital but permission was refused because doctors were concerned about her welfare.

She was also told she could not hold on to her medication as patients were not allowed to keep it themselves while on hospital premises, said Ann Smout, prosecuting.

A decision was made to take the medication from Hawes but she kicked one staff member in the stomach.

In the struggle, Hawes also bit a nurse on the forearm so hard it required hospital treatment.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, the nurse said: "I thought she had bitten a chunk out of my arm."

Hawes had also threatened to bite the same member of staff two days after the first attack.

For Hawes, Oscar Vincent said his client suffered from a variety of mental health issues including a personality disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as well as autism.

She had been sectioned under mental health legislation.

He said: "It is positive to note she has approached staff and has apologised. She has expressed some regret and remorse for her behaviour."

She was jailed for three months, suspended for a year, and ordered to pay £50 compensation.