An NHS trust responsible for the running of a medium security psychiatric hospital has admitted health and safety breaches after a patient repeatedly stabbed two members of staff and torched the unit.

Paranoid schizophrenic Myha Grant launched the vicious assault just two days after being moved to Dartford's Bracton Centre, Bracton Lane, in July 2016.

He stabbed nurse Francis Barrett six times before turning on health care assistant Julius Falomo who had come to his colleague's aid and inflicting 17 wounds. As he attacked them he was heard shouting “Allahu Akbar - Jah Rastafa”.

The 31-year-old, who had been detained after smashing a champagne bottle over a stranger's head in Brixton, then started a fire, burning his blood stained clothes and 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.

Mr Barrett spent 12 days in hospital following the attack, while father-of-four Mr Falomo was said to have become a social recluse.

He has now received a bravery award for his actions and has returned to work at the unit.

Last February, Grant was sentenced to a hybrid hospital order, meaning he will be detained indefinitely and transferred to a prison if he is judged to no longer require treatment.

The minimum term he will serve is 10 years and eight months plus three years on license.

Appearing on Friday at Woolwich Crown Court, Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust admitted two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act relating to failing to manage the risk of inpatients and failing to provide all necessary health and safety information to a third party.

The prosecution has been brought by the Health and Safety Executive and the case is next due to be heard at the same court on August 17.

An HSE spokesperson said: “HSE acknowledges the defendant’s guilty plea but will not make a further comment until after sentencing.”

Grant's attack came almost a year after another inpatient, Romanian armed robber Vasile David, doused nurse Claire Stott with boiling water in an unprovoked attack as she held a therapy session.

She was left with 50% burns to her face and he was deported.

In 2015 an inquest heard 52-year-old convicted killer Daha Mohamed died at the centre following serious failings on the part of Oxleas.

In Kent the trust runs mental health services at Dover Immigration Removal Centre, Cookham Wood youth offenders institute, and Blantyre House, Canterbury, East Sutton Park, Elmley, Standford Hill, Swaleside and Maidstone prisons.