Key Highlights
- Jonty Bravery, 24, who threw a six-year-old boy off the Tate Modern balcony in 2019, has been sentenced for assaulting nurses.
- The assault took place at Broadmoor hospital, where Bravery is being held under strict security measures.
- Bravery kicked a nurse and clawed another’s face during an attempted suicide attempt, causing significant injuries to both victims.
- The case highlights the ongoing challenges in managing individuals with severe mental health issues who pose risks to themselves or others.
Mental Health Crisis: Jonty Bravery’s Second Assault at Broadmoor Hospital
On January 8, 2026, Jonty Bravery, a 24-year-old man with autism who previously served life imprisonment for throwing a six-year-old boy off the Tate Modern balcony in 2019, was further sentenced for assaulting two nurses at Broadmoor Hospital. The incident underscores the complex challenges faced by healthcare professionals and mental health institutions when dealing with individuals with severe behavioral issues.
Assault at Broadmoor: A Nightmarish Encounter
The assault occurred in September 2024, where Bravery attempted to climb a ledge to throw himself off the window, much like his infamous Tate Modern incident. In the process, he assaulted two nurses who were trying to restrain him. According to court documents, at around 9:30 PM, Bravery asked to use the bathroom and then tried to leave the room. When nurses Linda McKinlay and Kate Mastalerz attempted to restrain him, he kicked one in the thigh and clawed across the face of another, causing her to bleed profusely.
Witnessing the Struggle: Nurses’ Accounts
Nurse McKinlay, who has been with Broadmoor for many years, recounted, “He attacked my face; he was clawing at my face. My eye and my face were all scratched.” She emphasized that it was her first time being attacked in such a manner during her career. Nurse Mastalerz confirmed the severity of the incident, stating, “I started shouting for help immediately when he began kicking and scratching me. We had to work together to restrain him.” The body-worn footage played in court showed nurses struggling with Bravery before other staff rushed to assist.
Security Measures and Sentencing
The incident was so severe that Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found Bravery guilty of two counts of assault. He was sentenced to 16 weeks, which will run concurrently with his existing 15-year minimum term at Broadmoor Hospital. The magistrate noted the critical importance of monitoring such individuals 24/7, emphasizing that “those who care” are often the targets of violent behavior.
As a result, Bravery is kept in a room with only a mattress and must be monitored by three staff members around the clock.
Bravery’s behavior during this incident mirrored his previous attempts to harm himself at Broadmoor Hospital. His assault on both nurses underscores the ongoing challenges faced by mental health professionals who strive to provide care while ensuring their own safety and that of other patients.
