01-09-10 Drunk jailed for attacking hospital worker
A drunk who attacked a hospital worker has been jailed for eight months.
Colin McLean turned to violence when a nursing assistant at University Hospital of North Durham asked him to calm down, Durham Crown Court heard.
Prosecutor Mark Giuliani said McLean was taken to the hospital’s A&E department after he was found lying in the street.
“He had suffered some form of injury,” Mr Giuliani added. “On arrival at the hospital, he was placed in a wheelchair.
“It was late in the evening and he was asked to wait, as is often the nature of these things.
“This may have angered him and he became agitated and aggressive.”
The court heard nursing assistant Kevin Davis attempted to calm McLean.
“He responded by slapping Mr Davis about the head and then grabbing him in a headlock,” said Mr Giuliani.
“He was also threatening and abusive towards Mr Davis.
“In a statement taken later, Mr Davis says he was not injured in the incident, but was dismayed to be attacked by someone he was only trying to help.”
McLean, of Auckland, Chester-le-Street, admitted a charge of battery.
The court heard the offence, on March 27, breached a suspended sentence imposed on the 44-year-old earlier this year for his part in a pub fight.
Tony Davis, defending, said in mitigation: “He complied with all the conditions of the previous sentence, including completing 200 hours of community work.
“The incident at the hospital was regrettable, but it was all over in seconds, and Mr Davis suffered no injury.
“Mr McLean had curbed his offending behaviour and this offence could be seen as an aberration.”
Judge Christopher Prince jailed McLean for eight months.
The judge told him: “Hospital staff and others serving the public have a right to expect a measure of protection from the courts.
“I have only activated part of the suspended sentence, but people who behave as you did to those who are only trying to help must expect to go to prison.”
