Trial delay for RAH attack accused

The trial of a woman accused of attacking nurses and putting NHS staff at risk of infection has been hit by a further delay.

Margaret Woods, 38, continued to deny the charges when she appeared at a pre-trial hearing at Paisley Sheriff Court this week.

Ms Woods faces prosection for allegedly assaulting a staff nurse at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in the town and putting another member of staff at risk of infection by spitting in his face.

Defence agent Kirsty McGeehan confirmed the accused was maintaining her not guilty plea to the accusations, but added the defence is seeking more information about her fitness to stand trial.

She added the accused’s mental health has suffered while she has been held on remand at HMP Gateside in Greenock.

The lawyer said: “There are continued concerns over a deterioration in her mental health. She has been seen by a psychiatrist but there has not any formal diagnosis of her disorder.

“I would request an independent psychiatric opinion for the purposes of court proceedings. We would seek a supplementary report to update the position.”

Procurator fiscal depute Keri Marshall said the Crown agreed with the defence motion.

She said: “Given that a further report has been instructed, once the Crown has sight of the report it may have to instruct its own report on Ms Woods.”

Ms Woods is accused of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner at the RAH on May 18 where she is said to shouted, swore and acted aggressively towards staff, and that she obstructed, hindered, and assaulted staff nurse Regina English, and did kick her on the head to her injury.

She is also accused of charges of recklessly and culpably spitting in the face of staff member Nicolas Quinn, thereby exposing him to the risk of Hepatitis C infection.

Sheriff Tom McCartney continued matters for the reports to be obtained.

The case was adjourned to November 22 .