A MENTAL health patient who threw a cup of scalding tea at a support worker will be returning to the hospital where the attack took place, after a court granted bail.

Karen Morgan, aged 32, who is a residential patient at Cygnet hospital unit, Beach Road in Kewstoke, was due to be sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm at Bristol Crown Court on Tuesday, but the judge adjourned the case pending a psychiatric report.

Morgan admits throwing the hot drink at senior support worker Karliese Erasmus following a dispute at the independent care unit. The attack left Ms Erasmus with severe burning to her neck.

Cygent Kewstoke provides a recovery path for men and women who have suffered with mental health problems, across two female wards and two male wards.

Giles Nelson, mitigating, argued Morgan should be given a conditional discharge, due to her mental health condition.

He said: “It is a difficult submission to make but the options are so limited today.”

He added that Morgan was remorseful for her actions and indicated a guilty plea early in proceedings.

He said: “This event will have an impact on how she [Morgan] is looked after and how her file is recorded.

“I agree with the fact that the prosecution has been maintained and it is important that the defendant has pleaded guilty to that.”

John Mannion, prosecuting, advised that Morgan should remain at Kewstoke as a condition of her bail.

Judge Julian Lambert did not agree to a conditional discharge, instead opting to wait until a psychiatric report could be produced until passing sentence.

He adjourned the case until November 13 and Morgan was granted bail with the condition she remained in care at Cygnet.

He said: “What is required here is a psychiatric report. I wish that report to come from a medical officer.

“It is a matter of duty that I will impose the condition.”

He then told Morgan: “I am sorry but it is back to Kewstoke for the moment.”