Seizure man threatened to punch pregnant nurse at Bassetlaw hospital

An autistic man threatened to punch a pregnant nurse at Bassetlaw hospital after he was admitted for a seizure, a court heard.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.Mansfield Magistrates Court.
Mansfield Magistrates Court.

Thomas Clarkson shouted and swore in the A&E department before throwing chairs around, at 3am, on March 4.

“He banged his hands on the counter and threatened to punch her,” said Ruth Snodin, prosecuting.

Clarkson, 30, of Barnes Court, Retford, who has a previous conviction for possessing heroin in December 2016, admitted threatening and abusive behaviour when he appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

David Grant, mitigating, said Clarkson had been discharged after the seizure, but when he asked how he could get home he was told: “It’s a long walk to Retford.”

“This has happened previously and he did walk back, collapsing on the way,” he said.

His “meltdown” was a direct result of the autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder he suffers from, said Mr Grant.

A letter from his mother said his conditions explained his behaviour, but did not excuse them. He now has extra support from carers to help him.

Cheryl Nisbet, of the probation service, said: “He woke up with no idea of what was happening. He had been told by the ambulance staff he would get a lift home.

“At the counter, he was met with not a very favourable response and he flipped, as we have heard. He accepted his behaviour was unacceptable and expresses remorse.”

Clarkson was given an eight-week community order, with a curfew from 8pm to 7am, which will be monitored by an electronic tag.

He was ordered to pay £85 court costs.

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