A man who caused chaos and more than £25,000 of damage at a busy hospital during a nine-hour standoff has been jailed for 16 months.
Gary Hughes, 41, created havoc at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary (RVI) by ripping up marble tiles, causing medical appointments to be postponed, and frightening seriously ill children, as revealed in the city’s crown court.
The court heard that Hughes, who was of no fixed abode, had sought refuge on a first-floor roof inside the main entrance atrium while in the midst of a mental health crisis. During this episode, he harbored a belief that medical staff were plotting to harm him.
Hughes admitted to charges of criminal damage and intentionally causing a public nuisance. Prosecutors recounted how he scaled a barrier and made his way onto the roof of a reception area around 07:40 BST on 3 June. Once there, he hurled debris at individuals below and shattered several windows.
The repercussions of Hughes’ actions were significant. Portions of the hospital had to be shut down, patients were required to navigate extensive detours, and 40 medical personnel were diverted from their duties to ensure the safety of those present.
Following his release from prison two weeks earlier, Hughes descended from the roof via a ladder at 16:55 and was subsequently apprehended. During his interrogation, he confessed to authorities that he had sought attention due to his apprehension that someone was targeting him.
In a statement presented to the court, a representative for the RVI emphasized the substantial impact of Hughes’ behavior on the hospital that day. Children in a nearby ward, some of whom were undergoing cancer treatment, were left “very frightened” by the commotion he generated. Those in rooms overlooking the area had to be relocated.
In his defense, Hughes’ legal counsel, Liam O’Brien, underscored his client’s mental health crisis, asserting that Hughes sincerely believed that organized criminals were colluding with hospital personnel to harm him, harvest his organs, and jeopardize his family.
Judge Penelope Moreland acknowledged the severity of the harm caused by Hughes, particularly to individuals who were “frail” and vulnerable. She recognized that while Hughes held a “genuine but delusional belief” that his life was in jeopardy, this did not absolve him of understanding the wrongfulness of his actions.
Hughes’ sentencing reflects the gravity of his offenses and the disruptive consequences of his actions at the hospital. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by individuals grappling with mental health crises in public spaces.
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References:
HM Courts and Tribunals Service
