A woman has admitted a violent racist attack on healthcare staff at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. Aileen Hunter punched and tried to bite two workers while awaiting treatment in the hospital's ward.
The 49-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court over the disorder and pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including assault and threatening and abusive behaviour. The offences were aggravated by prejudice relating to race, colour, nationality, or ethnic or national origin.
Attack near nurse's station
The incident took place on May 21, 2025, around 2.30pm near a nurse's station where Hunter was a patient. According to a fiscal depute, Hunter asked for another patient's personal data, but clinical support worker Amber Ali declined, explaining that such a disclosure would breach privacy laws.
Hunter responded by shouting, “F*** off, I wasn't talking to you”. When Ms Ali told her to return to her room, Hunter retorted: “Go back to your f****** jungle.”
Punching and biting staff
Hunter briefly left the area before returning, grabbing Ms Ali with both hands and punching her in the face. She landed “several strikes” on Ms Ali before being separated by another member of staff, the court heard.
Hunter then pulled deputy charge nurse Krystal Maughan by the hair and attempted to knee her in the face and head. When Ms Maughan resisted, Hunter punched her to the head several times. Hunter also lunged towards her and attempted to bite her on the body.
Other team members intervened and described how Hunter was “dragged off” Ms Maughan, in further shocking details read out in court.
Court outcome
A psychiatric evaluation concluded Hunter had mental capacity during the incident, and drug testing showed she was not under the influence of any substances. She made no reply when cautioned and charged.
Sheriff Gill adjourned sentencing while awaiting a justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
