Nurse punched in face by thug in racist tirade
‘I have a right to be abusive’ says menace before attack
A menace punched a nurse in the face during a terrifying tirade of racial abuse in a hospital.
Dale Cooper subjected his victims in Maidstone Hospital to racist remarks and assaults during the incident last week. Cooper, of no fixed address, racially abused his first victim at about 12.35am, while also threatening to assault him. A nurse heard the altercation and ordered Cooper to leave the hospital.
But to her horror, he replied: “I have a right to be racist if I want to.”
Moments later, the nurse was punched in the face.
The 57-year-old was restrained by three members of security, who were also subjected to further racial abuse and assaults. Police took Cooper into custody and he was later charged with two counts of racially aggravated assault, three counts of assault by beating of an emergency worker and a further six
counts relating to public order offences, of which four were racially aggravated. He appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court and - after pleading guilty - was jailed for 12 months.
Sergeant Craig Chalmers-Stevens said: “Cooper’s behaviour was utterly appalling, and no
one should have to tolerate the torrent of vile abusive language and violence he displayed.
“I’m delighted the courts have delivered justice so swiftly as Cooper is a persistent offender and a menace, not only to emergency workers including hospital staff and police, but to the wider public.”
Chief executive of Maidstone NHS Trust, Miles Scott, added: “Our staff are truly amazing. They have the right to work in an environment where they feel safe and are treated with dignity and respect.
“We would like to thank Kent Police for their help and bringing this individual to justice.”