Jailed after hospital disturbance

A Fife man previously slammed by a sheriff for his “appalling” record is back behind bars, after causing a disturbance at the Victoria Hospital.

Serial offender George McKenna was released from his last jail term in October but since then his life had “spiralled out of control”, Dunfermline Sheriff Court heard.

When police officers tried to speak to him, McKenna put heroin in his mouth.

McKenna, 27, of Hope Street, Lumphinnans, admitted that on March 21 at Primmer Place, Cowdenbeath, with the intention of evading detection and prosecution, he placed a quantity of heroin into his mouth to conceal it, in an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

The same day at Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy, he shouted, swore, acted in an aggressive manner and uttered abusive remarks towards police officers.

He also admitted acting in a racially-aggravated manner towards a hospital employee by swearing, acting in an aggressive manner and using racially offensive language towards him.

Defence solicitor Gwenn Haggerty said her client had been released from a previous sentence in October.

“Drugs are an issue and he’s felt things have spiralled out of control since he’s been released,” she added.

Sheriff Chris Shead jailed McKenna for four months.

Last year, handing out a previous jail sentence, Sheriff Charles MacNair told McKenna: “You have the most appalling record.”