Drunken and aggressive Chesterfield Royal Hospital patient is fined

Pictured is Chesterfield magistrates' court.
Pictured is Chesterfield magistrates' court.

A booze-fuelled patient’s aggressive behaviour distressed hospital staff and patients so much that he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Ian Watson, 30, of Chester Street, Chesterfield, was behaving violently and aggressively at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, according to a Chesterfield magistrates’ court hearing on Wednesday, January 19.

Prosecuting solicitor Becky Allsop said: “Police were called to the hospital to report a male being violent and aggressive and they found Watson was unsteady on his feet and his speech was slurred.

“He was shouting and swearing and as an officer approached he realised the defendant smelled of alcohol and it was obvious he was drunk.

“Due to his drunkenness he could not be assessed by staff and there were concerns that if he remained on the premises there could be issues.”

Watson was warned he could not stay in the hospital, according to Mrs Allsop, and he began clenching his fists and waving his arms around in an aggressive manner and he refused to sit down.

Mrs Allsop added that an officer was forced to arm themselves with a spray but Watson calmed down and he was arrested.

Watson pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in a public place after the incident on Boxing Day, December 26, last year.

Defence solicitor Denny Lau said: “Mr Watson was in drink and didn’t go to hospital to cause trouble.

“He had been in the town centre and he had suffered an injury and as a result he had been taken to the hospital.

“But because it was a busy night he became annoyed and agitated and he calmed down as police came to the scene.”

Magistrates fined Watson £80 and ordered him to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.