QEH security guard restrained patient with spit hood

A hospital security guard used a pillow case as a spit hood to restrain a patient suffering a mental health episode, a court has heard.

A spit hood was used by a major hospital’s security guard to restrain a patient suffering a mental health episode, a court has heard.

The Port Adelaide Magistrates Court was told the guard used a pillowcase to cover the head of 28-year-old Jasmine Crewdson, of Elizabeth.

Ms Crewdson on Friday faced two allegations of assaulting police and other charges of assault.

Caroline Tassone, for Ms Crewdson, asked Magistrate Jayanthi Pandya to have the charges dismissed because of her client’s “severe complex mental health issues” including borderline personality disorder.

Ms Tassone said one of the assaults arose when the spit hood was placed on Ms Crewdson and she made incidental contact with a police officer, who was also trying to restrain her, while she was suffering from the episode in April, 2019.

“While removing her handcuff from the side of the bed she’s lashed out because a security guard had gone to her and used a pillowcase to cover her head to stop her biting and spitting,” Ms Tassone said.

“Out of self defence she’s tried to defend herself - she felt she was suffocating.

“This (spit hood) is completely against any type of procedure that should be taken at any point.”

Spit hoods were banned in South Australia late last year following the death of Wayne Fella Morrison who died three days after being restrained with a hood.

Jasmine Crewdson who has been charged with assaulting police. Picture: Facebook

Ms Tassone also claimed the conduct of SA Health was “improper” when Ms Crewdson was deemed fine for custody despite her being in the middle of a fit, when she was denied the use of a shower and toilet at the state’s James Nash House mental health facility and when she was “thrown into a room” when she was menstruating.

The court heard further allegations levelled against South Australia Police in which Ms Crewdson was “abruptly” assaulted at the Smithfield train station and had to attend hospital as a result.

Ms Crewdson spent eight-and-a-half-months in custody following the assault at the hospital, which was extended when another assault allegation arose at James Nash House and as she was facing major indictable charges which Ms Tassone said had since been dropped after no evidence was presented to court.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital building at Woodville. Picture: File

The prosecutor told Ms Pandya police opposed the application to have the charges dismissed, but they were not anticipating Ms Crewdson would be sentenced to any further penalty.

When SA Police was contacted about the court allegations a spokesman said: “SAPOL do not comment on matters before the court”.

SA Health was contacted for comment.

Ms Pandya said she had considered a mental health report and Ms Tassone’s submissions in court but would not dismiss the charges.

“I’m not prepared to exceed to the application and the application is denied,” she said.

Ms Pandya adjourned the matter until next week for Ms Tassone to confirm how Ms Crewdson would proceed given the application’s dismissal.