Alcoholic lashed out at hospital workers

A DRUNKEN Grimsby woman attacked a paramedic and a nurse after being taken to hospital with a head injury.

Alcoholic Elaine Hawes, 47, of Dover Street, Grimsby, lashed out in the accident and emergency ward at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital, Grimsby Magistrates' Court heard.

She had been picked up by paramedics from a Grimsby bar at about 7pm following a five-hour drinking session on June 2.

Prosecuting, Rebecca Dolby told the court Hawes was initially cooperative with paramedics, but began swearing heavily and became more abusive when she was put into the ambulance.

After arriving at A&E, Hawes was told to stop shouting and swearing, but responded by punching paramedic Hannah Coppack in the cheek, Miss Dolby said.

Nurse Sarah Troake came to assist the paramedics and was kicked in the stomach with both feet, leaving her winded for about 30 minutes, the court heard.

Security officers were called to restrain Hawes, who continued to be aggressive during treatment and afterwards when she was taken into custody.

Hawes told police that she had been drinking in the Top Town area since about 2pm, but could not remember anything after moving on to the bar where the ambulance attended.

The nurse said in a statement that she should not have to tolerate that kind of physical violence at work and that other patients had been forced to wait longer to be seen while she was trying to restrain the defendant.

Mitigating, Graham Ives said that although the offences were of a "serious nature", the two victims did not have any visible injuries.

Mr Ives said that Hawes, who has no previous convictions, was "sorry and ashamed" of her actions, which he described as "out of character".

He said Hawes could not remember committing the assaults, and that it was "to her credit" that she had accepted the victims' version of events and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

He added that she was attempting to address her alcohol addiction and had so far attended the Junction drug clinic on three occasions.

Hawes was given a 12-month community order with a six-month alcohol treatment requirement. She was also ordered to pay £75 compensation to both victims and £60 costs.

Presiding magistrate Derek Maidens told her: "You are very fortunate that you did not cause more serious injuries. You are very fortunate that you are not going to prison – because we need to protect our services. People who work in our hospitals do a very important job."