A thug who was found passed out in a garden punched a hard-working nurse when he woke up in hospital.
Colin McDonald, 32, attacked a nurse working in the Royal Alexandra Hospital in May 2020, forcing her to go home to “rest and recover,” when the country was under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Disgraced McDonald of Fulbar Road was in a ward at the town's Royal Alexandra Hospital that had five other beds, each filled with a “critically ill patient.”
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Yesterday at Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff Lindsay Kooner slammed McDonald stating: “You assaulted a nurse who was treating you.
“Your actions placed additional pressure on to the services when the whole country was under pressure in 2020.”
Procurator fiscal depute Carly McLeod told the court: “On May 27, McDonald was admitted to the Royal Alexandra Hospital due to a suspected overdose on opiates.
“He was initially aggressive and hostile when receiving treatment.
“McDonald was left to sleep until his next observations were due.
“Around 2.30am, two nurses attended at the accused’s bed to carry out medical procedures on him.
“Upon trying to wake the accused, he struck one of the nurses to the left side of her jaw.
“He was then restrained and police who were within the hospital were informed.
“McDonald was arrested, cautioned and charged and made no reply.”
Ms McLeod told the court nurse didn’t suffer any injuries but after examination by a doctor, she was deemed “not fit for duty” and was sent home to “rest and recover.”
Defence agent Gemma Elder told the court that McDonald’s recollection was “significantly impaired.”
Ms Elder said: “Like much of the country, Mr McDonald was consuming more alcohol than he normally would have in 2020, during lockdown.
“On this date, he had been found in a garden unresponsive and when paramedics stabilised him, he acted in the manner described.
“He wishes to apologise to the medical staff and the court and he is horrified by his conduct.
“He understands the seriousness of the matter and doesn’t shy away from that.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Lindsay Kooner said: “I will step back from custody albeit this is a very serious matter.
“Albeit there was no injury, the complainer would have been very shaken when she was going about her work treating people and she had to go home to recover.”
McDonald of Fulbar Road was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work in the community within 12 months and he was ordered to pay £450 in compensation to the nurse at the rate of £50 per week.
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