A drunken man who "got in the face" of a random member of the public in a hospital car park has been fined. Jason Wilshaw, 29, of Hartlands, Bedlington, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly at South East Northumberland Magistrates' Court this week.
The court heard Wilshaw first came to the attention of police at Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital (NSEC) in Cramlington on June 12 this year due to his noisy and abusive behaviour. Prosecutor Chike Anieto said officers spotted Wilshaw at the hospital and that he spoke in an aggressive manner towards police.
Warnings ignored
Wilshaw was warned by police about swearing but continued to do so and was taken outside to the car park. There, he was shouting and slurring his words and was unsteady on his feet. Despite numerous warnings, Wilshaw walked off and "got in the face" of a passing member of the public, who was left feeling "significantly distressed".
Mr Anieto said: "The defendant spoke in an aggressive manner towards police. He was warned by police about swearing but continued to do so and he was taken outside the hospital. The defendant was shouting and slurring his words and he was unsteady on his feet. The officers believed he was drunk. He began to walk away before going up to a member of public and getting in their face. The member of public became significantly distressed, so the defendant was cautioned and arrested."
Court outcome
The court heard that Wilshaw had six offences on his record and was last in the dock in 2023. Glenn Reardon, defending, said: "He accepts this took place where people can expect some peace. I ask you to take into account his guilty plea. He's on Universal Credit."
Magistrates fined Wilshaw £80 and ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £32 victim surcharge.
