‘Delirious’ woman killed elderly patient in hospital ward in front of nurses
A woman who killed an elderly patient in a hospital ward by repeatedly bashing her head on the floor has been jailed.
Philomena Wilson, 56, attacked 83-year-old grandmother Vidya Kaur at Birmingham City Hospital in January 2021.
Wilson was also a patient at the hospital and it was found she was suffering a ‘temporary delirium most likely linked to her abuse of drugs and alcohol’ when she launched the attack.
Mrs Kaur suffered serious head injuries, including a fractured skull, which contributed to her death three weeks later.
Wilson initially claimed to have no memory of that morning’s events, but she later pleaded guilty to manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.
Michael Burrows KC, prosecuting, told Birmingham crown court: ‘In the early hours of the morning a nurse at the City Hospital was guiding an elderly person to the toilet.
‘Philomena Wilson was a patient on the same ward. She got out of bed and attacked her.
‘She tried to push the nurse away from Mrs Kaur and then pushed Mrs Kaur so she fell face forward on to the floor.
‘She kicked the nurse and then began hitting Mrs Kaur’s head down on the floor a number of times.
‘Another patient and a health care assistant intervened and Wilson assaulted them as well.
‘Eventually security guards attended and Wilson was taken back to her bed.
‘Experts agree that Wilson was suffering from an acute mental disorder at the time of the offence.
‘Despite having a mental disorder, she knew what she was doing.
‘She attacked both the nurse and Mrs Kaur. Mrs Kaur offered no resistance.
‘After falling to the floor, she was probably unconscious but Wilson continued to attack her and tried to get at her even when being restrained.’
On Friday Wilson was jailed for seven years on Friday, with a further five years on licence.
During sentencing, Judge Melbourne Inman KC said: ‘Vidya was receiving treatment in the City Hospital when you attacked her.
‘Vidya was obviously very elderly, she was frail, of slight build and in poor health.
‘You having been arrested because of concerns regarding your mental health were admitted to the City Hospital and transferred to ward D26 where Vidya was also being treated.
‘It was a vicious attack on a helpless woman.
‘I am satisfied at the time of the attack your intention was to kill.’
In Wilson’s defence, Michelle Heeley KC said: ‘She is deeply remorseful for what happened at a time when she was severely mentally unwell.
‘She did not know she was mentally unwell. It was a case of intending to cause serious harm as opposed to an intention to kill.’
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