Carer hurt in 40ft court plunge

McKenna landed on a marble floor at Hull Crown Court

A care home worker is in hospital with serious injuries after plunging 40ft (12m) off a first floor balcony at Hull Crown Court.

Thomas McKenna, 36, had just been told he faced jail for assaulting an 89-year-old dementia sufferer at nursing home in Goole, East Yorkshire.

He had been granted bail pending reports.

McKenna, of Lowther Road, Doncaster, suffered a broken pelvis, broken right arm and 11 broken ribs.

He had denied pushing or assaulting the woman in his care at the home, but he was convicted by a jury.

The court heard he grabbed the woman and pushed her against a fire extinguisher on a wall after she tried to grab a bun off a tea trolley which he was taking round the care home.

Recorder Simon Jackson QC had told McKenna "you must expect custody".

He was then given bail as arrangements were made for a pre-sentence report into his background.

Shortly afterwards, McKenna fell from the balcony, which is outside the courtroom doors, on to a marble floor.

Paramedics called to the scene treated him before taking him to hospital.

McKenna is due to be sentenced in three weeks' time.