Hospital security guards sentenced for assaulting patient

Two North Manchester General Hospital security guards have today been sentenced for assaulting a patient in February last year. A third security guard was sentenced at a previous hearing.

Supervisor Abdul Saleem, 36, along with Owa Darling, 55, and Benjamin Monese, 39, were working at the hospital overnight on 25 February 2023 when a 43-year-old man was admitted for treatment.

During the night, when the man kept getting out of bed, security was called to assist medical staff.

The three security guards stayed with the man for several hours whilst their body worn cameras were recording.

The following day when the man was discharged from the hospital, he had numerous bruises and contacted police to report that he had been assaulted by men in uniform during his time at the hospital.

When the bodyworn footage and CCTV was viewed it showed that between 3am and 4am Saleem subjected the man to 20 blows to the head, pulled his hair and used excessive force during an arm restraint, together with persistent verbal abuse.

The footage showed that Darling subjected the man to 26 blows to the head, two slaps and persistent verbal abuse. The footage also showed that Monese batted the man's hand and tapped him on the head.

Today Saleem and Darling were sentenced for assault occasioning actual bodily harm to a 18-month community order with 15 rehabilitation days, 250 hours' unpaid work and a four-month curfew. They were also both ordered to pay a victim surcharge plus £500 compensation to the man they assaulted.

Monese was sentenced in January for assault by beating. He was given a 12-month community order with 10 rehabilitation days and 80 hours' unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a victim surcharge.

Samira Choudhry, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West, said: “Abdul Saleem, Owa Darling and Benjamin Monese were employed by the hospital to keep staff, patients and visitors safe. However, that night they abused the trust placed in them when they caused deliberate harm to a patient they should have protected.

“The effect the assault had on the man should not be underestimated – in his victim impact statement, which was read to the court at today's sentence hearing, he said the attack made him feel vulnerable, he could do nothing to defend himself, he is now frightened of attending hospitals and suffers panic attacks.

“Everyone has the right to go about their daily lives without fear of violence. I hope that following the conclusion of this case the man can begin to move on with his life.”