Drunk man who abused hospital workers is jailed

Stephen Barry Ellis, 50, kicked out, tried to stand but fell against a cupboard forcing it off the wall, and was shouting and swearing in front of staff and other patients, including a seriously ill woman in her 90s.

It all happened on the day he was released from prison, North East Wales Magistrates Court at Mold was told.

Ellis appeared from custody following the incident on Thursday night at Maelor Hospital in Wrexham. He was jailed for 16 weeks.

He admitted a racially aggravated public order offence, criminal damage, and a public order offence against two police community support officers who were forced to take him to the ground and handcuff him.

Magistrates told Ellis that it was a really nasty incident when nurses and other hospital staff were doing their job and helping people who were ill. It was a prolonged incident which called for immediate custody.

The court heard that the defendant had only just been released from prison and bought a bottle of rum when he was told there was no accommodation available to him.

Busy

He did not remember why he was at the hospital but his behaviour was inappropriate, unacceptable and unfair on the staff and other patients, said prosecutor Helen Hall.

The unit was extremely busy with 10 out of the 11 beds occupied but Ellis was extremely intoxicated and was shouting and swearing at security and other hospital staff. The court heard his behaviour was extremely distressing for patients including a 96-year-old woman who was very ill.

A female consultant was abused by him, and in view of his behaviour he was placed in a private isolation room.

He was in a wheelchair, was unsteady when he tried to stand, and a mattress was placed in the room in case he fell. The defendant became increasingly aggressive, kicked out and when he stood and fell he pulled a corner cupboard off the wall.

Senior sister Alison Hughes described his behaviour as disgusting. It was unacceptable and unfair on staff and patients, she said.

Defending solicitor Elizabeth Kenny said that it was clearly an unsavoury incident and nothing to be proud of.

She told the court he was extremely drunk and had only been released from prison that day.

His alcohol counsellor had told him that there would be supported accommodation available for him to help him prevent the revolving door of being released, being homeless, drinking to excess and getting into trouble again.

But when told by the probation service that there was no accommodation, he bought a bottle of rum and got drunk.