An “acutely psychotic” man from High Wycombe who battered two nurses he believed planned to put him in a straitjacket, has had his jail term slashed on appeal.

Christopher Templeman, of Green Hill Close, had been taken to Reading's Prospect Park Hospital after he was seen behaving strangely in the town centre.

But, in the delusional belief that he was going to be restrained, he attacked two nurses, Samantha Thorogood and Angela Smith.

Miss Smith was punched, breaking her nose, before he launched himself at Miss Thorogood, who was punched to the ground and stamped on, leaving her with broken ribs, an injured hand and concussion.

The 31-year-old admitted two counts of causing actual bodily harm and was jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court.

In September, he was given a five-year "extended" sentence, comprising four years' jail, with one year extra to serve on licence.

But today, that was slashed to three years and four months by judges in London.

The court heard Templeman appeared to be in a confused state when police were called to Reading town centre in August 2015.

He was taken to the hospital and was waiting when he asked to be given a pack of cards.

Miss Smith took him to an office, where he began his vicious assaults.

A psychiatrist who assessed Templeman later said he had been "acutely psychotic" at the time and was now "genuinely appalled" by his behaviour.

His lawyers argued that the four-year sentence was too long.

Having pleaded guilty, he was entitled to a one-third reduction, meaning the crown court judge must have taken a "starting point" of six years for the term.

Judge David Stockdale QC agreed that the term was too tough and cut it to three years and four months. The extended licence was also quashed.