A man accused of assaulting six hospital staff members with a metal bar claimed he believed his orange juice had been poisoned by a neighbor, a Liverpool Crown Court trial was told. Omar Momand, 20, allegedly launched a violent attack on hospital staff and members of the public at Newton Community Hospital in Merseyside on December 30 last year, during which the metal bar he used became bent out of shape.

Prosecutors allege Momand was in the midst of an acute psychotic episode when he "hunted down" and struck multiple individuals. His trial began Tuesday, with Momand denying charges of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

According to the prosecution, Momand "went round on a spree," attacking anyone he encountered over approximately 30 minutes. He is accused of carrying the metal bar concealed at his waist and returning to attack some victims after they had already fallen to the ground. The defense acknowledges Momand caused the injuries but disputes his intent.

Momand later provided a prepared statement asserting he had consumed orange juice the previous evening, believing it had been poisoned by a neighbor. He stated he felt confused afterward and had no memory of the hospital incident, suspecting he had been drugged.

CCTV and neighbor's Ring doorbell footage showed Momand leaving his home around 10:30 a.m. and arriving at the hospital two minutes later. He initially went upstairs to a GP surgery within the hospital, seeking an appointment. When turned away and advised to attend a walk-in center, he returned downstairs and became increasingly agitated over the next 90 minutes before initiating the attacks.

One of the first alleged victims, Megan Lynch, was struck from behind with the metal bar while standing at a vending machine. She managed to escape and barricade herself in a bathroom, sustaining wounds to her scalp and bruising to her head, shoulder, and hand.

Receptionist Jeanette Jones reportedly attempted to flee upstairs but was struck on the head, elbow, and back. She was able to reach the outpatients department and barricade herself inside, suffering swelling and bruising.

Following these initial assaults, Momand allegedly smashed reception desk and computer equipment before chasing other staff members who secured themselves behind a locked door. He then returned upstairs and attempted to force his way into another locked room.

Three staff members, Ian McGurk, Eleni Tsikou, and Michelle Stewart, who were returning from lunch unaware of the unfolding events, were allegedly attacked. McGurk sustained lacerations to his eyebrow and ear, while Tsikou suffered a heavily bleeding cut to the back of her head.

Momand is accused of returning to Ms. Jones and striking her twice more with the weapon before attacking Ms. Stewart from behind. Stewart, after falling, was allegedly struck an additional five to six times on the head, resulting in a significant head injury.

A sixth victim, a pharmacy assistant, was struck on the leg. The incident concluded when a member of the public intervened, armed with a golf club, and police arrived with a police dog.

Prosecutors argued that the deliberate and intentional nature of Momand's actions indicated he knew what he was doing, even if his intent was affected by his mental state. The trial is ongoing.