Supervision after A&E threat to cops

A foul-mouthed yob who threatened police officers at Monklands Hospital – including making reference to notorious murderer Raoul Moat – has been sentenced to supervision.

John Dickens had earlier been taken to the A&E department by other cops who were concerned for his wellbeing.

Dickens, 41, was under the influence of drugs and eventually discharged, but refused to leave when asked.

Police then confronted Dickens, who swore at them before being arrested.

While at Coatbridge police station, Dickens told officers he had previously stabbed a cop and would“do it again” and referenced Raoul Moat, the murderer who killed his ex-girlfriend’s new boyfriend in 2010.

Moat also shot and permanently blinded police officer David Rathband, which made Dickens’threat of“polis getting shot”even more chilling.

Dickens, of Bellshill, owned up to the offence and returned for sentencing at Airdrie Sheriff Court last week.

Procurator fiscal Yolande Love told the court:“Police were called to the A&E department at Monklands Hospital, where the accused refused to leave.

“He had been discharged after drugs and alcohol treatment and shouted,‘I’m no f****** leaving’.

“He was taken to Coatbridge police office, when he said,‘I stabbed a cop in the face and will do it again’and‘polis are getting shot, Raoul Moat’.”

Defence solicitor Brian Selby mitigated on Dickens’behalf:“He has completed a community payback order and is doing well.

“He’d been off drink for a considerable time and relapsed. It was police officers who took him to the hospital and due to not getting seen, he discharged himself.

“Because he wouldn’t leave, police said they had no choice but to lift him.”

Sheriff Frank Pieri took a dim view of his actions: “This is an extremely serious matter. But the report on your order shows you’re engaging well.

“In the circumstances, I will impose a community payback order with 100 hours’unpaid work, which I have reduced from 150 due to your early plea, and you have four months to complete it. If you breach this order you will be brought back here and sentenced all over again.”