A maintenance worker has admitted going on a violent hospital rampage with a digging tool – but denied he tried to kill three colleagues.
Matteo Bottarelli, 44, is alleged to have chased co-workers with a mattock -a pickaxe-type tool - around the Central Middlesex Hospital in Acton Lane, a short distance from Harlesden, on June 21.
As well as chasing colleagues with the mattock, he is alleged to have stabbed one of them in the neck from behind.
Armed police were called and the hospital was evacuated.
A second man was later found collapsed with head injuries shortly after the incident.
Bottarelli, from Central Way – a few minutes walk from the hospital – was arrested by armed police outside the hospital and charged with attempted murder.
On Wednesday (October 11) Bottarelli pleaded guilty to the lesser offences of wounding Gideon Tesfay and Trevor McGuire, with intent to cause them grievous bodily harm.
He also admitted affray by using or threatening unlawful violence to cause a person to fear for their safety and having an offensive weapon at the Park Royal hospital.
However, he pleaded not guilty to attempting to murder Mr Tesfay, Mr McGuire and a third man, Mark Quigley.
The charge of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Quigley with intent was also denied by the defendant.
Bottarelli entered his pleas by video link from Wormwood Scrubs before Harrow Crown Court, sitting at the Old Bailey.
The prosecution indicated the pleas were not acceptable to the Crown and the defendant faces a trial of up to seven days from February 12 next year.
A further hearing was set for December 13 and Bottarelli was remanded into custody.
At the time of the incident, the Metropolitan Police said one man had injuries that were thought to be “life-changing” while another escaped with minor injuries.
The third alleged victim did not sustain any injuries during the incident.
The Met said at the time that a man arrested was taken to hospital, having received injuries that are believed to be self-inflicted.
There was a heightened police presence inside the building and in the general area, after Central Middlesex was temporarily locked down following the attack.
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