A RESIDENT at a home for people suffering with mental health issues hit a nursing officer over the head with a steam iron after saying he was Jesus Christ and wanted car keys.

Wayne Smith, 45, who had just returned from a night out, started shouting and swearing before losing his temper when his request was refused.

Southampton Crown Court heard he pushed Gerard Kelly, who was sitting on a sofa with assistant Valarie Gallienne, who he also hit in the face.

Prosecutor Tammy Mears described how the two men struggled as Mr Kelly tried to restrain him.

The drama spread in to the kitchen, where Smith grabbed him around the throat before picking up the iron and striking him on the back of the head.

Ms Gallienne made a 999 call to the police, who arrived with paramedics.

Smith immediately made himself known to the police, who arrested him.

Mr Kelly received 11 stitches for his head wounds.

In interview Smith told police black people had been unacceptably treated in history.

He thought he was Jesus Christ and when his request for the keys was refused he accepted he wanted to kill Mr Kelly and at one point tried to pick up a knife in the kitchen.

He said he had picked up the iron because it was closest to him and admitting hitting Mr Kelly four or five times.

Said to have 12 previous convictions, Smith, of Merdon Avenue, Chandler’s Ford, admitted causing actual bodily harm and common assault.

Recorder Nicholas Gerasimidis told Smith he represented a serious risk to the community and ordered him to be detained indefinitely at Ravenswood psychiatric hospital.