Hospital patient laid down on reception floor for 40 minutes while also shouting abuse at staff
by Sara Nichol · ChronicleLiveA drunk hospital patient laid down on the reception floor and refused to leave while shouting abuse at staff.
Marion Brown had been treated for a minor head injury at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital, in Cramlington, but took exception to being discharged. A court heard that the 39-year-old initially lay down on the reception floor before later lying on ground in front of the entrance doors for around 40 minutes.
Magistrates were told that Brown was abusive throughout and shouted threats at staff during her drunken protest, which ended when police arrived and she was arrested. But, rather than learn her lesson, the intoxicated pest was back at the same hospital a month later, where she again was abusive to workers.
Brown, of no fixed abode but formerly of Felton Lane Cottage, in Morpeth, has now been fined after she pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and causing a nuisance on NHS premises. Bushra Begum, prosecuting at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court, said Brown was treated for a minor head injury at NSEC on August 20 this year and discharged.
Ms Begum continued: "She had been given medical treatment but was abusive and disruptive throughout. She's discharged but refuses to leave.
"She lies down on the floor in the reception area of the hospital and has to be escorted out by security. She's taken outside and placed on a bench."
The court heard that Brown re-entered the hospital and, when ushered out by staff, again lay down on the floor, this time in front of the entrance doors. Ms Begum added: "She lies there for about 40 minutes.
"There are double doors that rotate and she inside the hospital, in front of them, lying on the ground. She repeatedly tells staff to "f*** off". She also threatened to smash one of their faces in."
The court heard that Brown was arrested but, a month later on September 29, she was taken to the same hospital by officers due to concerns over how drunk she was. Ms Begum said Brown was again "obnoxious and loud" and caused distress to the patients.
Despite being warned about her behaviour, Brown continued to shout and swear and called one officer a "stupid c***". Magistrates were told that Brown had 18 offences on her record, including a number that were alcohol-related from earlier this year.
Graham Crouth, defending, said Brown had recently become homeless after splitting-up with her long-term partner. He added: "She has an alcohol issues and she is receiving treatment for that.
"She is also suffering from mental health problems currently. She suffers from depression and has recently been put on medication by her GP."
Brown was fined a total of £140 and must pay a £32 victim surcharge.
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