Jonty Bravery, the man serving a life sentence for throwing a six-year-old boy from the Tate Modern's 10th-floor balcony, has been handed another jail term for viciously attacking psychiatric hospital staff.
Violent Assault in High-Security Hospital
The 24-year-old was found guilty of assaulting two nurses, Linda McKinlay and Kate Mastalerz, during an incident at Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire in September. The court heard that Bravery, who requires constant monitoring by three staff members, had asked to use the toilet before attempting to climb a ledge to harm himself.
When nurses McKinlay and Mastalerz intervened to restrain him and prevent self-harm, Bravery became violent. He kicked Ms Mastalerz in the thigh and clawed at Ms McKinlay's face, leaving her with scratches and blood dripping down her cheek. Body-worn footage shown in court captured the chaotic struggle, with a panicked staff member heard shouting for assistance.
A History of Violence and a Life-Changing Crime
This is not Bravery's first assault on staff at the high-security psychiatric facility. In 2020, he was jailed for 14 weeks after admitting to attacking other Broadmoor employees. His most notorious crime occurred in 2019 when, aged 17, he threw a young French boy from the viewing platform of the Tate Modern art gallery.
The child miraculously survived the 100-foot fall but sustained life-changing injuries including a brain bleed and multiple fractures. Bravery was subsequently given a life sentence with a minimum term of 15 years for attempted murder and is now held at Broadmoor.
Impact on Staff and Court Outcome
Giving evidence, nurse Linda McKinlay, a grandmother, stated this was the first time she had been attacked in her long career at Broadmoor. She described being left "very shaken" by the ordeal. Fellow nurse Kate Mastalerz said the situation was "very stressful," and she was left with a bruised thigh.
Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring found Bravery guilty of both assault charges, stating he had "gone too far." He has now been sentenced to an additional 16 weeks in jail for these latest offences. Bravery remains detained under strict conditions in a sparsely furnished room at the hospital.
