A hospital worker who launched unprovoked attacks on colleagues with a pickaxe and a scalpel has been convicted.

Central Middlesex Hospital was locked down after Matteo Bottarelli, of Central Way, Park Royal, made the savage assaults on June 21, 2023.

The 44-year-old appeared at Wood Green Crown Court on Wednesday (February 21) where he was found guilty of two counts of attempted murder and one of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.

The court heard that police were called to Central Middlesex Hospital shortly after 1.18pm to reports that two people had been stabbed.

Officers attended, and found two men, aged in their 40s, both suffering from significant injuries.

Although substantial, their injuries were not life-threatening, Scotland Yard said.

Enquiries established that moments before the attack, Bottarelli had approached one of his colleagues at the hospital saying “today is your lucky day”.

He then attempted to attack a male member of staff, before attacking two more male staff members with a pickaxe and a scalpel.

An urgent search was conducted and armed officers found Bottarelli at his home. He was arrested and taken to hospital for treatment for self-inflicted injuries.

He was later taken into custody and charged with multiple offences.

Det Constable Jacob Eyres, from the Metropolitan Police’s North West Command, said officers worked hard to build a case against Bottarelli, who "posed a clear threat to his work colleagues and to public safety".

He said: “Throughout our enquiries we gathered a substantial amount of evidence, including detailed accounts from witnesses and victims, whose contribution to the investigation was crucial.

“This was an unprovoked attack on people working to help others and it is right that Bottarelli will now face the consequences of his actions.

“I hope that his conviction brings the victims a measure a comfort in knowing that justice has been served. My thoughts are with them.”

Bottarelli was remanded in custody throughout proceedings and is due to appear at Wood Green Crown Court on April 30 for sentencing.