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Jade’s terror after hammer woman gets into her room
By Anna Davis Last updated at 14:00pm on 09.03.09Security was stepped up today at the cancer hospital where Jade Goody is being treated, after a woman with a hammer confronted the reality TV star in her room.
The 41-year-old intruder, believed to be French, was arrested at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea, after Goody called for help.
Police said the woman was in possession of an “offensive weapon”, believed to be a small hammer in her bag. She is thought to have sneaked into the room after Goody's husband, Jack Tweed, 21, left her for a short time to go to the hospital canteen.
Goody's family have asked for better security around her room. Her publicist and friend, Max Clifford, said: “Jade was very, very frightened and she screamed out. This woman was inside her room and Jade told me she was chanting and praying.
“Jade was on her own for about 10 minutes while Jack went downstairs for a cup of tea and that's when she got in. As soon as Jade screamed a nurse came and the woman ran away, but security caught her.”
Mother-of-two Goody, 27, who has terminal cancer and is being heavily sedated, has been admitted to the Royal Marsden to relieve her pain. “This is the last thing Jade needs,” Mr Clifford said of the incident. “It was terrifying for her.”
A spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed they were called to the hospital yesterday afternoon.
“A 41-year-old woman was searched and found in possession of a hammer,” the spokeswoman added. “She was arrested for possession of an offensive weapon and taken into custody.” Police released the woman last night without charging her. Mr Clifford added that the incident may make Goody more determined to leave the hospital and go home to die. He said: “It is her wish to do so.”
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Reader views (6)
That photo is taken from the Living TV documentary that was filmed by a film crew with Jade's knowledge and blessing that it was being done.
- Julie, London
Try to hang in there Jade. Your pain and suffering is almost over and soon you will be in peace.
- Kim, US
The absolute scariest thing while you're in hospital is having some random stranger appear at your bedside; you're totally aware that you're weak, not in your own home, usually in a flimsy gown. It's terrifying, and I can't imagine how much scarier it would be if you're terminally ill and the visitor is touching and whispering to you in another language.
I hope Jade can go home as soon as possible.
- Grace, New York
According to other news articles on the web, the so-called "offensive weapon" was a court gavel (a small wooden hammer used by judges, ORDER ORDER, etc), and it was inside the womens bag, zipped up. She wasn''t going to use it and I assume that the woman was a court judge.
Plus, there was no security outside Jade's room, Why?!
And finally, the woman was NOT "chanting and praying". All she did was stroke Jade's head and whisper a prayer to Jade.
- Phillip Jones, Wales, UK
I'm sure Jade's family wouldn't object to some of her money being spent on 24-hour security whilst she is in a room by herself at the hospital. I can't believe she was left completely alone in such a vulnerable state. Disgraceful.
- Yvonne, Doncaster, UK
Where was security when this photo was taken? Does Jade get no privacy?
- Marianne, SW France
