A violent patient who seriously injured two members of staff at a mental health centre in a vicious knife attack has been detained in hospital.

Myha Grant inflicted 17 wounds on health care assistant Julius Falomo and six wounds on nurse Francis Barrett.

The 31-year-old paranoid schizophrenic will be kept in hospital under the Mental Health Act but if his condition improves he will have to serve a 16-year jail sentence and be on licence for a further three years under an extended sentence.

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He will have to serve two thirds of the sentence before the parole board will consider his release.

Grant had been held at the Bracton Centre secure unit in Dartford after he smashed a champagne bottle over a man’s head in a random attack in Brixton, south London.

VIDEO: Myha Grant was sentenced today

Victim Ali Awes was shown in CCTV footage lying unconscious on the ground after the attack on June 2 last year. He suffered a deep cut to his head, other wounds and he lost a tooth.

Grant was transferred to the Bracton Centre, run by Oxleas NHS Foundation, from prison on July 15. While there, he was agitated and singing offensive rap lyrics and talking about raping white women.

Two days after arriving at the centre, Grant pushed Mr Barrett aside and grabbed a knife being used to prepare lunch.

He then repeatedly stabbed Mr Barrett. Other staff members, including Mr Falomo went to his aid.

As Mr Falomo tried to restrain Grant, he was hurled to the floor and also stabbed repeatedly to his upper body.

As he carried out the attack, Grant was crying out “Allahu Akbar - Jah Rastafa”.

He then started a fire in the communal area, removed his bloodstained clothes and burnt them along with the knife.

Another staff member hid in one of the rooms which filled with black smoke. The windows were smashed and she was dragged to safety.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor said photographs showed “the general level of carnage” caused by Grant, who had written his street name Taz either in blood or tomato sauce next to his pile of burning clothes.

After his arrest, Grant, who had a £60 a day skunk cannabis habit and used Spice, told police staff had “dissed” him and he had sorted them out.

Grant, of Ellison Road, Streatham, south London, was originally accused of two offences of attempted murder, but his guilty pleas to wounding with intent were accepted.

He also admitted arson and wounding Mr Awes with intent.

His previous convictions include robbery, wounding with intent and grievous bodily harm.

Psychiatrists found that Grant, who appeared by video link with high security Broadmoor Hospital in Crowthorne, Berkshire, was suffering from a mental disorder and recommended that he be detained in hospital indefinitely.

Pieter Briegel, defending, said doctors stated Grant remained "totally unpredictable" and capable of carrying out extremely serious assaults without provocation.

"It's a tragedy for him and it's a tragedy for others who have suffered horrendous injuries," he added.

Judge Carey made a “hybrid order” which allows for an offender to be detained in hospital and if treatment is no longer necessary the remainder of the sentence is served in prison.

"This was a horrendous experience for all concerned" - Insp Ivan Beasley

He said: "Julius Falomo is a brave man and is to be commended for that.

"But the hard fact remains both men are deeply traumatised still by what occurred to them - and why on earth would they not be?

"They are both in a state of anxiety in relation to being in public and being at risk. Neither has made a full physical recovery."

Judge Carey ordered there should be a High Sheriff's bravery award to Mr Falomo.

He told Grant: "Your history of smoking cannabis from a young age in substantial quantities and use of Spice suggests a destabilisation in your mental health."

The judge said the sentence in the "grave" case would protect the public.

After the sentencing, Inspector Ivan Beasley of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "This was a horrendous experience for all concerned.

"Myha Grant was being treated at the time for mental health issues and clearly poses a significant risk to innocent members of the public.

"The significant sentence he has received reflects what he put his victims through and is in the best interests of all concerned.

"I would like to thank everyone who helped us with this investigation and hope the conclusion of this case is of some comfort to all those affected."