A man who was given a life sentence for throwing a six-year-old boy off a tenth-story balcony at the Tate Modern is facing new legal troubles after reportedly assaulting two nurses at the high-security psychiatric hospital where he is confined.
Jonty Bravery allegedly kicked one nurse in the thigh and scratched at the face of another, causing her to bleed during the incident at Broadmoor Hospital in September 2024. He has been found guilty of these assaults on nurses Linda McKinlay and Kate Mastalerz in a trial held at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in November and is awaiting sentencing.
Court proceedings revealed that Bravery requires constant supervision by three staff members around the clock and is housed in a room with only a mattress. He was previously sentenced to life imprisonment for throwing a French boy off the Tate Modern balcony in 2019, resulting in severe injuries to the child.
During the recent trial, witness Tom Heslop recounted the events, stating that Bravery attempted to harm himself by climbing a ledge after requesting to use the bathroom. Nurses intervened to prevent the self-harm attempt, but Bravery lashed out, kicking one nurse and scratching the other.
Bodycam footage displayed in court depicted the nurses struggling with Bravery on the floor before additional staff rushed in to assist. Amid the chaos, a staff member can be heard urgently calling for help.
One of the nurses, Ms. McKinlay, described the harrowing experience, noting that it was her first time being attacked during her tenure at Broadmoor. She mentioned that Bravery had previously exhibited similar behaviors when trying to harm himself.
Both nurses sustained injuries during the incident, with Ms. McKinlay requiring hospital treatment for her wounds. Ms. Mastalerz emphasized the distressing nature of the situation, detailing how she called for help as Bravery became aggressive.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found Bravery guilty of the assaults, remarking that he had crossed a line with his actions. This is not the first time Bravery has been involved in violent behavior, as he was previously jailed for attacking staff at Broadmoor Hospital in 2020.
During that incident, Bravery assaulted a nursing assistant and a rehabilitation therapist assistant, leading to a 14-week prison sentence.