Derry Court: 'Remorseful' man jailed for disorderly behaviour in hospital

A judge at Derry Magistrate's Court today said that disorderly behaviour in the hospital 'deserves the longest possible sentence.'

Deputy District Judge Liam McStay was speaking as he jailed Gary David Crossan (40) of no fixed abode who admitted a charge of disorderly behaviour in Altnagelvin Hospital on May 7 and a charge of criminal damage to a police vehicle.

The court heard that police had taken Crossan to Altnagelvin Hospital for treatment.

While there he became 'extremely aggressive' in front of children and was shouting about 'f-----g Taigs'.

He became very abusive towards police using a variety of insults and despite being warned on numerous occasions he persisted in being abusive in A&E.

Crossan was taken to a police cell van and he 'lashed out' kicking the van and spitting on the windows.

He shouted to police 'open this door I will kick the f--k out of you both.'

When interviewed about the incident he said his memory was 'scant'.

Defence counsel Stephen Chapman said that his client realised custody sentence was inevitable. 

He said Crossan was 'remorseful' about his behaviour and it had brought 'a great degree of shame' on him.

Judge McStay said that 'unfortunately' the maximum he could impose for the disorderly behaviour was six months and he had to give the defendant credit for his guilty plea.

He sentenced him to 4 months on the charges but imposed a consecutive 4 months of a suspended sentence making Crossan's total prison term one of 8 months.