Homeless man jailed after spitting in hospital and threatening to kill police

A homeless man has been jailed for spitting and being abusive in Oban’s hospital, after he refused to leave A&E early one morning.

Krzysztof Kranz, 28, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, repeatedly shouting, swearing and spitting, at the Lorn & Islands General Hospital and Oban Police Station, on November 3, 2021.

Procurator fiscal James Dunbar told Oban Sheriff Court on January 12: ‘At around 12.40 in the morning, the accused was found sleeping in the door of commercial premises in Oban by a member of the public. He was found shivering. He was taken to hospital.

‘Around 3.30am the same morning, police officers were contacted by A&E. The accused was refusing to leave the department. The accused shouted and swore at them.’

Handcuffs and a spit hood were applied to Kranz, Mr Dunbar said, and he was put into the back of a police vehicle, where he continued to spit, shout, and swear. Later, in a police cell, Kranz ‘uttered a threat to kill police officers’.

Sheriff Patrick Hughes asked Kranz: ‘Is there anything you would like to say about this incident?’

Kranz replied: ‘I was under the influence of alcohol and it was a while ago, so I do not remember much. I will just wait for you to give me a sentence.’

Sentencing, Sheriff Hughes told Kranz: ‘You have a significant record. It is clear there is a real problem when you are dealing with emergency services.

‘Having regard to your record and the nature of this offence, I can see no alternative but a prison sentence.

‘The sentence would have been 10 months’ imprisonment, but since you pleaded early and removed a need for a trial, that sentence will be reduced to 27 weeks, and that will be backdated to 4 November.’