Deobra Redden, who leapt at Las Vegas judge during sentencing, faces attempted murder charge

A man who attacked the judge about to sentence him by leaping at her in the courtroom has been charged with attempted murder.

Deobra Redden, 30, jumped over the judicial bench at Clark County District Court towards Judge Mary Kay Holthus as she made it clear he was facing prison time for attempted battery on 3 January.

CCTV footage of the incident in Las Vegas has since been widely circulated on social media.

Courtroom cameras recorded as Holthus’s clerk and a court marshal fought with Redden to restrain him.

A week later, the judge sentenced him to up to four years in prison for the battery charge, to which he had already pleaded guilty in November.

On Thursday a grand jury ruled in favour of an attempted murder charge in relation to the courtroom incident.

The new indictment claims he attacked the judge “by grabbing her, pulling her hair, placing his hands around her throat and/or hitting her on the head by manner and means unknown”.

A lawyer who represented Redden at the initial hearing did not immediately return a message seeking comment, the Associated Press reported.

Redden is also accused of “punching and/or kicking and/or pushing” a Las Vegas police officer.

His arraignment will take place on 29 February.

Redden’s family told reporters last month that he has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, though court records show he was found competent to stand trial.