Jail for lout who caused chaos at PRI
A boozed-up Perth lout caused chaos for nightshift staff after he was admitted to a ward at PRI in the early hours.
Initially, 37-year-old Alexander McPhee fell into a drunken sleep but he woke up after an hour and started wandering about the hospital, ignoring pleas to return to bed.
He then made a series of unwelcome sexual comments to nurses, Perth Sheriff Court was told.
He said to one staff member “give me a kiss,” then invited her to “come to bed” with him before making a vile comment about a female’s breasts.
The accused, of Dunsinane Drive, then shouted: “Get your f***ing hands off me.”
Police attempted to help, explained depute fiscal Andrew Harding, but he continued to shout and swear and refused to desist.
He was arrested and paid the penalty at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday when he was jailed for three months.
Passing sentence, Sheriff Neil Bowie condemned his behaviour.
“This was disgraceful conduct, perpetrated on staff who were working nightshift and tending to other patients who were in bed and who were ill.
“They can well do without that sort of behaviour.”
The sheriff noted that McPhee was subject to two bail orders at the time and added: “A custodial sentence is the only appropriate method of disposal.”
McPhee admitted that on January 9, 2020, at PRI’s A&E department, Taymount Terrace, Perth, he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by repeatedly shouting and swearing and making sexualised remarks.
He was subject to bail orders from the Perth court on October 21, 2019, and Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court on October 15, 2019.
Mr Harding said that the accused had “walked into” an address in Perth’s Nimmo Place at 11.20pm - and the police were called.
Attempts were made to take him to his own home but they were unsuccessful.
“Because of his level of intoxication, he was taken to A&E and arrived there at 1.05am.”
After he woke up, he tried to leave the ward but became more disruptive and made the series of derogatory comments.
Solicitor David Holmes said the accused acknowledged his actions were “unacceptable.”
A background report indicated that a medical report would be needed to determine if McPhee was fit to carry out unpaid work.
The lawyer pointed out there was a “direct alternative” to prison in the form of a Restriction of Liberty Order and he asked the court to consider that disposal. But Sheriff Bowie described his previous convictions as “extensive and analogous” - and he had also been on deferred sentence at the time.