Drunk patient fined over attack

The woman struggled with staff at Borders General Hospital

A patient who went on a drunken rampage in a hospital has been fined and ordered to pay £1,000 in compensation to a nurse and a security guard.

Angela Charters struggled with the staff nurse and kicked the guard at Borders General Hospital, near Melrose.

Selkirk Sheriff Court heard she also grabbed a lead on a monitor, sending the equipment crashing to the floor.

Charters, 45, of Galashiels, was fined £270 after admitting assault and breach of the peace.

The court heard that Charters was taken to the busy accident and emergency unit at 0300 BST after suffering a suspected asthma attack.

She struggled violently with the nurse who was trying to treat her. When a female security guard was called, Charters kicked her on the backside during an hour-long disturbance.

The court was told there was no evidence of respiratory problems, but she was admitted to a ward because she had mixed alcohol with medication she was taking for mental health problems.

Panic attacks

Fiona Caldwell, prosecuting, said: "It should be noted that the staff nurse had to be diverted from her duty of looking after other patients for an hour while she was dealing with her in the ward."

She added that when police were called, Charters told them she could not remember anything, and accused the staff of lying.

Defence lawyer Hannah Jones said the mother-of-two suffered anxiety and panic attacks.

She added: "She only remembers waking up in Galashiels Police Station.

"She is deeply ashamed and apologetic for her actions. She cannot believe her actions that night."

Sheriff Valerie Johnston said such behaviour would normally merit a prison sentence, but she had taken into account Charters' significant health problems.

In addition to the £270 fine, Charters was ordered to pay the nurse and security guard £500 each in compensation.