PAUL FRANKS FROM SHEFFIELD SENTENCED FOR FATAL ATTACK AT ROTHERHAM HOSPITAL

In a tragic incident that unfolded within the confines of Rotherham District General Hospital, Sheffield resident Paul Franks, aged 48, was convicted of a violent assault that resulted in the death of fellow inpatient Paul Reed. The courtroom proceedings, held at Sheffield Crown Court on June 9, revealed the disturbing details of the attack, which took place in February of the same year.

According to the prosecution, Franks, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, launched a sudden and unprovoked assault on Mr. Reed. Witnesses testified that Franks, who had previously been admitted to the hospital for alcohol withdrawal symptoms, including delerium and diarrhea, had been unsettled on the ward. It was reported that he had absconded from the hospital, purchased three bottles of vodka, and returned with one of the bottles, which was confiscated by security staff.

During the court hearing, prosecutor Richard Thyne QC detailed how a nurse observed Franks rushing towards Mr. Reed. Franks then proceeded to put Mr. Reed into a headlock, grabbing his head and neck, before forcefully dropping him to the floor. The impact caused Mr. Reed to smash his head, rendering him unconscious. The attack was not isolated; Franks also pushed another inpatient to the ground during the incident. Hospital staff responded swiftly, assisting Mr. Reed, but his condition rapidly worsened. A subsequent CT scan revealed bleeding on the brain, and tragically, Mr. Reed succumbed to his injuries the following morning.

Judge Peter Kelson QC addressed the court, emphasizing that Franks had clearly consumed alcohol before returning to the hospital and that his actions were a result of losing his temper. The judge stated, “You clearly consumed alcohol before returning to the hospital and not very long thereafter you lost your temper with Mr. Reed and one other and you had Mr. Reed in a headlock and dropped him to the floor causing him to sustain a head injury from which he died.”

Franks pleaded guilty to manslaughter for his role in Mr. Reed’s death, which occurred in the early hours of February 13. The court was informed that Franks had a lengthy criminal history, with 16 previous convictions covering 28 offences, including assaults, theft, harassment, and serious sexual offences such as attempting to communicate with a child and inciting a child to engage in sexual activity. Additionally, Franks had breached a community order previously imposed for his sex offences.

The court noted that both Franks and Mr. Reed had been admitted to the hospital for alcohol-related health issues. Mr. Reed was suffering from alcohol withdrawal, delerium, and diarrhea, while Franks was admitted with a condition similar to dementia, which was attributed to alcohol consumption.

In sentencing, Judge Kelson sentenced Franks to eight years in prison. The judge expressed his regret that no sentence could undo the loss of Mr. Reed’s life, stating, “You simply lost your temper having taken drink and you did what you did. No sentence I can pass can bring Paul Reed back.” The incident was characterized by the judge as a violent outburst rather than a fight, underscoring the severity of Franks’ actions within the hospital setting.