Assaulted in hospital

A terminally-ill pensioner was allegedly assaulted by a patient as he lay sleeping in his hospital bed in the early hours of the morning.

Thomas Russell, 86, suffers from a rare form of blood cancer. He was being treated in Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy following a fall at home, when he was attacked. An investigation has been launched by NHS Fife after Mr Russell was left with cuts and bruises to his head and face.

A spokeswoman said medical and nursing staff would be meeting with relatives and their representative next week, although she added that they had not yet received a formal complaint.

Mr Russell's family has called for a full explanation about how someone was able to approach his father who was in a separate side room from the ward.

It is thought Fife Constabulary has charged a 73-year-old man with assault and reported to the procurator fiscal.

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