Sheriff blasts woman who caused rammy at hospital

A woman who caused a rammy within Ayr Hospital on two separate occasions was blasted by a Sheriff for “wasting precious public resources.”

Dorothy Beveridge, aged 58, of Allison Street, Ayr, appeared at the town’s sheriff court on Tuesday, February 18.

She admitted behaving in a threatening or abusive manner on January 5 this year, behaviour likely to cause a reasonable person to suffer fear and alarm and that she did repeatedly shout, swear, act in an aggressive manner towards staff members James Holland and Fiona Campbell and throw herself to the ground, then refuse to desist.

The incident took place within the Accident and Emergency department.

More recently, on February 16, Beveridge assaulted PC Yvonne Wilson within the hospital by repeatedly kicking her to the leg.

Andrew Lazzarin, the fiscal depute, said: “The accused was at the A& E department after police attended at her home because she was feeling suicidal.

“She told them she had taken double the amount of her medication.”

Police arranged an ambulance. At 4.30am Beveridge was told it was going to be a six hour wait ( to see her).

Mr Lazzarin said: “She got fed up after 15 minutes and told staff: “F*** it . I don’t need your help.”

“It seems the accused was told to behave but she threw herself on the floor and refused to get up. Police came and she carried on in a similar way,” said Mr Lazzarin.

In terms of the February 16 offence, Beveridge was taken to hospital regarding chest pains.

Mr Lazzarin said: “She was on her side on a trolly not having made it to a cubicle but she kicked out with her leg, hitting an officer on the leg .

“It was busy with members of the public and staff at the time of the offence.”

Her defence solicitor Tony Currie said: “She has a significant ( criminal) record and that’s not a euphemism. There was a phase when she was actively trying to get sent to prison.

“The position is, as I understand it, that support workers are not able to support her beyond their working hours and she is alone on a Sunday. She drinks and feels low then needs the services of the emergency services.”

Sheriff John Montgomery told Mr Currie: “Precious public resources are being used by your client quite unnecessarily. “

Turning to Beveridge he said: “These precious resources are being wasted and you are depriving the public of the use of these services- police, paramedics and hospital staff. These matters are serious. The simple answer? Don’t drink.”

Sentence was deferred until August 18 and Beveridge was ordered to be of good behaviour.