The company set up to protect NHS staff and patients has successfully prosecuted a man who hit two members of staff at a Birmingham hospital. Prosecutors had earlier refused to take action in the case.
Stuart Suckling was ordered to undergo 12 months of psychiatric supervision after admitting punching the nurse and security guard. Suckling had pleaded guilty to two counts of assault and one of affray.
The 38-year-old was also ordered to pay £16,000 in compensation.
The case was the first successful prosecution brought by the new NHS Security Management Service. The service launched the private legal action when prosecutors declined to charge Suckling after the attack at Sutton Coldfield's Good Hope Hospital in June 2004.
The accident and emergency unit nurse was left with severe bruising and cuts to her lip and cheek. The security guard suffered a split lip and bleeding gums.