A man who has subjected hospital staff to physical and verbal abuse has been given a Criminal Anti Social Behaviour Order.
On Wednesday 18 January, Blackburn Magistrates Court was presented with a catalogue of evidence from police and hospital and security workers to highlight the problems that Andrew Hooson has caused at Royal Blackburn Hospital over the past 12 months.
The 37-year-old, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, has hurled abuse at workers, been drunk and disorderly in around the hospital grounds, carried out physical attacks and most recently was convicted of racially abusing a security guard.
Under the terms of the CRASBO Hooson is now banned from attending Royal Blackburn Hospital unless attending a medical appointment, to visit an immediate relative or to receive genuine emergency treatment. He will face arrest if he breaches the conditions.
PC Michael Walsh, Community Beat Manager for Queens Park ward, said: “Hooson has been a nuisance and on occasion a danger to hospital staff who are trying to help him. Those working in the hospital should be able to perform their roles without fear of abuse or harassment and hopefully the terms of this CRASBO will prevent Hooson from causing further issues.
“We’ve worked in partnership with the NHS trust, Balfour Beatty who provide security at the hospital and the CPS to secure the CRASBO. The CRASBO should demonstrate that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated at the hospital.”
Tim Barlow, security manager for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The Trust will continue to work in partnership with the police and other agencies to reduce criminality on the Trust’s premises and against Trust staff. The recent court cases show the commitment of the Trust in their aim to reduce incidents throughout the organisation.
“Persistent abuse and misuse of NHS staff and the services they provide are a drain on resources and the behaviour is unacceptable. May I take this opportunity to thank all staff for their continued co-operation and in particular the reporting of incidents. Without the evidence of incident reports generated by our staff none of these cases would have reached court. May I also thank Lancashire Constabulary and all of the other agencies involved in bringing cases of this nature to court.”
