Foul-mouthed South Yorkshire man who abused hospital staff must pay compensation

A foul-mouthed man who abused staff at two different hospitals has been ordered to pay compensation.
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Michael Houghton, aged 36, of King Street, Hoyland, Barnsley, was abusive to staff at Chesterfield Royal Hospital and at Barnsley District General Hospital, Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard on September 23.

Prosecuting solicitor Kirsty Pearson said police were initially called to St James’s Square at the Vicar Lane shopping centre in Chesterfield, where Houghton had been making a nuisance of himself.

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Ms Pearson added: “He was put in handcuffs and said he had been released from a mental health facility and was in a low mood and he agreed to be taken to hospital.”

Police had to use handcuffs and a pepper-style spray to detain an abusive, foul-mouthed man.Police had to use handcuffs and a pepper-style spray to detain an abusive, foul-mouthed man.
Police had to use handcuffs and a pepper-style spray to detain an abusive, foul-mouthed man.

Houghton was taken to Chesterfield Royal Hospital but police had to be called back because the defendant became aggressive, verbally abusive, threatening and intimidating to staff.

Police attempted to remove Houghton but due to his intoxicated nature they were forced to arrest him for being drunk and disorderly and they were forced to handcuff him and use a pepper-style spray.

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Ms Pearson said during the following day Houghton visited Barnsley District General Hospital while he appeared to be intoxicated. She said he was aggressive and abusive towards a member of staff who was left shocked by his behaviour.

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Houghton pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly after the incident on June 2 in Chesterfield and he admitted using threatening behaviour after the incident in Barnsley on June 3.

Pari Seeley, defending, said Houghton, who has been diagnosed with depression, anxiety and a personality disorder, had just been released from a mental health wing at the time of these offences but he has since been feeling much better.

She added: “I have no doubt this incident was as a result of the decline in his mental health and his alcohol intake.”

Magistrates sentenced Houghton to a 12-month conditional discharge but warned if he re-offended he would be dealt with for any new crime and would be re-sentenced for the two offences from June.

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Houghton was also ordered to pay £200 compensation to the affected staff member at Barnsley District General Hospital as well as £85 costs.

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