Jail for nurse attack

[Guest guest]

Jail for nurse attack

AN ALCOHOLIC hepatitis C sufferer attacked a hospital nurse and spat in the face of a police officer, a court has been told.

Selby, 23, of Canterbury Close, Banbury, sobbed as she was sentenced to 150 days behind bars for two charges of assault, two offences of resisting/obstructing a police officer and using words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress. She had admitted all the allegations at an earlier court appearance.Banbury magistrates heard how Selby, already serving a community order for another offence, failed to turn up to two supervision appointments between the dates of the offences on April 3 and May 25 this year.Police officers were called to the Banbury home of her partner where paramedics were trying to treat her for a suspected tablet overdose. Mundy, prosecuting, said: "Police said they found Miss Selby was extremely verbally aggressive and refused to let paramedics treat her."She was taken to the Horton Hospital in a police van where nurse Mascall attempted to treat her. "Without warning she got to her feet and launched herself at the nurse and struck her in the chest area," Miss Mundy said."This caused her to fall back into a cubicle and strike her back on the open door, leaving her with bruising to the lower back.She feels very shocked by the incident and says it has left her frightened and worried."Selby kicked, scratched and swore at officers as they tried to arrest her. Weeks later, on May 25, Selby spat in PC Andy 's face after police were called when she refused to leave her partner's home.Selby, who is taking prescribed methadone for her alcohol problem, was taken into custody. Her solicitor Satyanam Singh said she had benefited from being in prison."She suddenly found a bit of stability in her life in a constricted environment where people wanted to help her.She appears to be motivated to change and has adopted a responsible attitude," he said.Chairman of the magistrates Hicks said: "These offences are so serious that custody is the only option."The most serious is the unprovoked attack on the nurse. Doctors, nurses and other staff are entitled to be protected by the law when carrying out their duties in the community."Spitting at an officer, knowing you were carrying a communicable disease, is again so serious that custody is the only option."

22 June 2006

http://www.banburyguardian.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=687 & ArticleID=1581145