Woman Arrested After Allegedly Attacking Man in Hospital Bed with Pink Hammer Over Stolen Ashes

A woman has been charged after allegedly attacking a 63-year-old man with a hammer inside a Sydney hospital, later telling police he stole her brother’s ashes.

According to the New South Wales Police Force, at about 12.15 a.m. on April 9, emergency services were called to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camperdown, following reports of an assault.

At the scene, police were informed that a woman allegedly entered the hospital and assaulted a 63-year-old man sleeping on his bed, who is known to her and has been in the hospital since January.

“During the incident, it is alleged the man was struck with a hammer to the head, causing serious injuries. The man remains in a critical condition,” the NSW Police Force said in a press release.

The 46-year-old woman was reportedly arrested at the scene and taken to Newtown Police Station, where she was charged with wounding a person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

The charge carries a maximum penalty of 25 years in jail. She was refused bail and will appear before Bail Division Court 6, police said.

The woman was identified as Viki Graham by 9 News. As per court records, the man suffered a skull fracture, bleeding on the brain, and a seizure during the attack and was shifted to the intensive care unit of the hospital.

After entering the hospital, Graham reportedly spoke with a night nurse, who informed her she could not visit the victim’s ward as visiting hours were over.

Graham ignored the nurse and walked in, police said. “I just want to talk to him,” she told the nurse.

After finding the victim, she allegedly took out a pink hammer from her bag and struck the man on the right side of his head, police said.

After the brutal attack, Graham tried to flee the ward but the doors had been closed. While being taken into custody, she reportedly told officers: “I smashed him with a hammer.”

She reportedly told officers that the victim had stolen the ashes of her late brother, and she was seeking vengeance. Graham, whose attorney argued that she was dealing with anxiety, is scheduled to appear at the Downing Centre Local Court on June 4.

“The safety and wellbeing of our patients and staff across Sydney Local Health District are our highest priority and any form of violence in our hospitals is unacceptable,” a spokesperson from Sydney Local Health District said in a statement to PEOPLE.

“We can confirm there was an incident at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital overnight where a patient was assaulted by a visitor. No other patients or staff were injured in the incident,” they added.

“This matter is now the subject of an ongoing NSW Police investigation. Sydney Local Health District is working with NSW Police to assist with their enquiries,” the spokesperson added. “Sydney Local Health District is also offering support to staff who witnessed this distressing incident.”