Man fined after abusing nurses in emergency room over a request for panadol
A young cleaner’s inability to control his emotions saw him terrorise hospital staff and neighbours, causing a reality check from the magistrate.
A motel cleaner has pleaded guilty at a Dalby court for causing a public nuisance at his former partner’s house and abusing nurses at Charleville Hospital.
Byron Lewis Lake appeared in Dalby Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 25, and was sentenced for conduct causing a public nuisance and commit public nuisance.
Police prosecutor Chris Willson said the 21-year-old first committed a public nuisance on August 26 at his former partner’s residence where he swore and threatened surrounding neighbours.
“Police located him a few streets away and he made admissions to swearing and being very loud,” Sergeant Willson said
Sergeant Willson said about 8.30am on August 30, Lake went to Charleville Hospital asking for Panadol and abused nurses in the emergency room.
“They’re trying to calm him down before he walked upstairs in the general ward, where elderly patients are being treated, again started abusing nurses in the hospital before starting to rip posters down off the walls of hallways,” he said.
“Police attended a short time later and he started being abusive towards police and nurses before moving out towards the aged care facility.”
Magistrates Kathleen Payne said it’s perfectly normal to be cranky, upset and frustrated but Lake’s reaction on those occasions weren’t normal.
“You’re not controlling your emotions, you might have a headache, you might need some medicine but let’s just check where you are throughout hospital,” Ms Payne said.
“There are people who are much more sick than you.”
Lake was fined $500 for each offence and no conviction was recorded.
