Derry man jailed for assaulting doctor at Altnagelvin Hospital

A man who assaulted a doctor in A&E in Altnagelvin Hospital has been jailed at Derry Magistrate's Court. 

Alex Crawford (26) of Kinsale Park in Derry admitted three charges of assault on the doctor, disorderly behaviour and resisting police on March 13 this year.

The court heard that around 3.15am an altercation took place in A&E with Crawford shouting at other patients and staff.

Then he stormed out banging doors as he went only to return later.

Crawford then went into another clinical area and started walking about pulling back curtains in cubicles with other patients invading their privacy.

A doctor approached and believed Crawford was under the influence of substances and in his pre-sentence report the defendant admitted he had been on a 4 day drink and drug binge.

The defendant continued to act aggressively and stuck his face into a doctors so close the doctor felt spit on his face.

The defendant then pushed the doctor and other staff tried to get him to leave before police arrived. 

READ NEXT: Suspended sentence for man charged with assaulting police and possessing drugs

District Judge Ted Magill said that Crawford had behaved 'disgracefully' in the hospital.

He said he had no business being there and the time 'is fast approaching' where deterrence takes precedence over the needs of defendants when it comes to hospital cases.

The judge said that the only thing preventing the imposition of the maximum sentence was Crawford's guilty plea.

Crawford was jailed for three months.