Consultant insulted by abusive patient
PRISON FOR HOSPITAL INCIDENT
ACONSULTANT was left “embarrassed” after a patient at a North Wales hospital called her a prostitute.
David Cator, 71, hurled the insult after he had been treated and discharged at Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor.
He became abusive and guards were called.
Dr Rhiannon Talbot, a consultant in emergency medicine, had to take time away from dealing with patients and staff to personally ring North Wales Police during the incident in July.
At Caernarfon Magistrates Court prosecutor Sarah Marsh said that it was one of two breaches of a Criminal Behaviour Order by Cator – the other being in Llangefni in April this year.
Magistrates convicted him both breaches and jailed him for weeks.
The court heard that Cator had received undisclosed treatment at Ysbyty Gwynedd on July 4 this year and been declared fit for discharge from the hospital at about 6.30pm.
Dr Talbot told the was asked to leave.
“He said ‘his legs didn’t work’ and he refused.”
Two security guards were called and Cator went outside with them, Dr Talbot said.
She added: “He lay on the floor outside and I went back inside to telephone North Wales Police.”
She said she returned outside, by the waiting room, and said: “Mr Cator was telling the security guards repeatedly to f*** off from the floor.
“He was fairly forceful. He wanted to be left alone.”
Dr Talbot said Cator was offered a taxi home, she told the prosecutor.
Dr Talbot said she knew he had money as the day before he had left money at the hospital which had been returned to him.
Dr Talbot told the court: “He said ‘ You know all about making money – you’re a prostitute.’
“It was embarrassing.” Prosecutor Ms Marsh asked her how she felt.
Dr Talbot said: “I have been a doctor for quite a long time.
“It’s not an infrequent occurrence to be verbally abused. (But) I don’t like to court: security of 18
“Mr Cator
be called such things – especially in front of other people.
“I was on call in the emergency department. I was in charge. I would have been reviewing patients and supporting junior staff.”
The prosecutor asked her if she was able to do those tasks at that time. Dr Talbot replied: “No, I was not.” Also during the case, security guard Gethin Morgan told the court he had dealt with Cator “eight times” in his career.
Mr Morgan said Cator had told him ‘if I was 20 years younger he would take me’.
Mr Morgan told the prosecutor: took it as a threat to me personally.”
Cator took a bus but was later arrested, the court heard.
During the hearing, Cator, of Don Flats, Helen’s Crescent, Pentraeth, Anglesey, was also accused of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order in Llangefni on April 14, this year.
He was alleged to have been drunk in a public place and exposing himself.
During the case, Cator, in the dock, made remarks at least four times and was eventually removed from court.
Cator was jailed for abusive and insulting language so breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order in the hospital, and being intoxicated and using offensive and threatening language in Llangefni.
His order was broadened preventing him from being found drunk “in England or Wales” unless on licensed premises.
On being sentenced, Cator from the dock: “What! Why get 18 weeks for something do?”
“I shouted should I I didn’t