Moray Courts: Drunk man scared nurses and dementia patients during midnight disturbance

A man who drunkenly attempted to gain entry to a hospital ward for dementia patients has appeared in court.

Elgin Sheriff Court heard that the incident took place close to midnight on December 27 at Seafield Hospital in Buckie.

Two female nurses on duty that night heard the bell being rung repeatedly and saw Charles MIlton at the entrance demanding to be let inside.

On being informed that he couldn’t come in, the 34-year-old became personally abusive towards the women and began to kick the door.

The court was told that Milton also started to ring the bell continuously.

Fiscal depute said: “The defendant was requested on numerous occasions to stop and to step away from the hospital grounds, however he refused to desist.

“It left them fearful and scared for their own safety as well as that of the patients.”

Defence solicitor Stephen Carty stated that his client, who lives on Ordiequish Road, Fochabers, had very little memory of the incident, having earlier wandered off from a friend’s house and then finding himself at the hospital.

The lawyer added: “All he can do is apologise to the court and to all those involved.

“His plea of guilty was submitted at the earliest possible opportunity and appreciates the gravity of the situation he has put himself in.”

Passing sentence, Sheriff Olga Pasportnikov said: “This would have been a very frightening experience not just for the nurses but for the elderly patients, particularly given the time of night it happened.”

Milton was given a four-month curfew, meaning he must remain indoors at home between the hours of 7pm and 7am.