A MENTAL health patient who kicked a nurse in the stomach and sent her death threats from prison has been locked away for four years.

Julie Holmes, pictured, who suffers from a personality disorder, lashed out at staff nurse Rachel Pitman in Littlemore Hospital after Pitman asked her to go to bed.

Holmes, who was a serving prisoner at the unit for treatment, kicked the nurse, elbowed her in the face and bit her right hand in the communal television room at 12.30am on January 13.

She was taken back to prison from where she sent eight death threat letters.

The 48-year-old was sentenced at Oxford Crown Court on Monday where the judge also ordered that she stay on licence for an extra two years after she was released.

Prosecuting, Kate Mallison, said: “The defendant was asked to go to bed, she declined. She kicked Ms Pitman in the stomach and elbowed her in the face.

“She tried to headbutt her but failed. It was then that she bit her right hand.”

It was revealed one of the letters said: “Rachel will be dead soon. RIP”.

Holmes, who is at Surrey women’s prison HMS Bronzefield, admitted common assault and threats to kill.

She was jailed for four years with a concurrent three month sentence.

Cathryn Roberts, defending, said only one letters had reached Ms Pitman as all the others had been intercepted by the prison.

However, Dr Rami El-Sirbiny, who carried out a psychiatric report on Holmes, told the court he thought there was a “significant risk” Holmes would harm herself or someone else.

Sentencing, Judge Mary Jane Mowat, said: “The conclusion of all concerned at this point is Mrs Holmes poses a significant risk of causing serious harm to others, not to mention herself, by the commission of further specified offences.”