Man '˜sang sectarian songs' at the hospital

A man who sang sectarian songs and assaulted a doctor at Coleraine's Causeway Hospital was jailed for five months as a judge said: 'This is as bad as it gets'.

Simon Fleming (41), of Somerset Drive, Coleraine, admitted charges of assault and disorderly behaviour and Coleraine Magistrates Court heard last Thursday the defendant had been aggressive at 10.50am on May 30 last year after arriving at the hospital via ambulance.

He was intoxicated and pushed a doctor backwards and told him to “f--k off”.

Fleming cursed at other staff and was shouting and singing sectarian songs. He was refused treatment and told a hospital staff member: “If you don’t get me a taxi I will put you on the flat of your back”. A prosecutor said that during police interview, Fleming said he could not remember singing sectarian songs and said he may have fallen against the doctor.

Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said the incidents took place in the “aftermath” of Fleming having a seizure.

He asked for the case to be adjourned to allow Fleming an opportunity to prove he can stay out of trouble and add to the £200 in compensation he had already raised.

District Judge Chris Holmes said: “This is as bad as it gets” and added society will not tolerate this sort of behaviour especially when medical staff are at the receiving end.

He jailed Fleming for five months and ordered £200 compensation to be paid to the doctor.

Fleming had bail fixed for appeal.

A Bushmills man who had just passed his driving test and who overtook at hazard warning lines near a caravan park in Portrush has been given three penalty points and fined £150.

Kyle Edward James Fairley (28), of Hazeldene Drive, appeared at Coleraine Magistrates Court last Thursday and admitted a charge of driving without due care and attention.

The offence was spotted by police at Ballyreagh Road, Portrush, on January 28 this year, a prosecutor said.

She said the defendant made full admissions to police and at the scene appeared to be “very regrettable” over what he had done.

A defence lawyer said Fairley had been very pleased at passing his driving test and had described his actions as “stupid”.

District Judge Chris Holmes said he was a little bit concerned about whether the defendant should be allowed to continue on the road as he had only just passed his driving test and said his behaviour had not only been stupid but “dangerous”.

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