A man who ripped a hand sanitizer dispenser from a wall and threatened hospital staff with a paperclip has been sentenced to a month in prison.
Court heard the 23-year-old was a sentenced prison having been handed a three month spell in jail after appearing before Laganside on January 9.
Robert Cochrane, whose address was given as Maghaberry, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour, criminal damage and possession of an offensive weapon at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, where he appeared via videolink from the prison.
Prosecution outlined that on August 26, police received a report of an assault on staff by the defendant at Craigavon Area Hospital.
Staff claimed Cochrane had been shouting in the hospital and then proceeded to threaten them with a metal paperclip.
He did not physically assault staff but caused fear he would. The defendant also ripped a hand sanitizer dispenser from a wall inside the hospital.
At 8.45pm, Cochrane was arrested and made no reply after caution.
Prosecution informed the court that the cost of damage was estimated at £14.70.
The defendant, who represented himself, made no comment regarding the offence.
District Judge Stephen Keown stated: “You are entitled to credit for your early plea. This predates the offence of disorderly behaviour on your record for which you were dealt with in Laganside.
“But this matter relates to an offence in a hospital which the court cannot tolerate.”
It was heard that Cochrane was a sentenced prisoner having been sentenced to a total of three months on January 9.
District Judge Keown said: “Given that this predates that other offence, they would have been dealt with in a similar way if they had have all been dealt with together.”
The defendant was sentenced to one month in prison and was ordered to pay restitution of £14.70 within 16 weeks.
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