A 61-YEAR-OLD former patient at Dunfermline's Lynebank Hospital has been found guilty of assaulting three members of staff there.

Ian Bain headbutted two male care workers and punched a female staff nurse in separate incidents.

He had claimed he was acting in self-defence in each case but was found guilty of the three charges he faced after a trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

On May 5 last year, at Lynebank Hospital, Dunfermline, he assaulted Darren Lewis, a health care worker employed there, seized his hand and butted him on the head.

On May 6 last year, he assaulted Craig Wilson, health care worker, by butting him on the head.

On August 13 last year, he assaulted Frances Rennie, a nurse, by punching her on the head.

Bain is now a patient at Rowan Bank Hospital, Glasgow.

Darren Lewis said that Bain and another male Lynebank patient had not not got on well.

“There was a lot of tension, aggravation and hostility. There were always disagreements between the two. Neither of them would back down,” he added.

On May 5 last year, a fight broke out between the pair. “There were punches thrown and kicks,” said Mr Lewis.

Bain was taken down to the floor by Mr Lewis and a colleague.

Mr Lewis said Bain grabbed his hand and threatened him saying: “I’ll f****** break your finger.”

Mr Wilson, 40, struggled to recall the specific incident brought to court as such events were quite common, he said.

“These incidents are very frequent unfortunately. I was involved in similar incidents with Ian a few times and they all merge into each other,” he added.

However, he recalled being head-butted by Bain to the side of the head as he took him in a hold after an altercation between him and another patient.

Staff nurse Frances Rennie said she tried to break up another disturbance and was punched on the side of the head. She turned around and saw Bain standing there.

During his evidence, Bain admitted punching the staff nurse by accident but said he had aimed the blow at the other patient.

Sheriff Charles MacNair found Bain guilty of the three charges but, given that he is already detained under a compulsion order, he said the only disposal available was to admonish him.