‘Nasty drunk’ lucky to avoid jail

A “NASTY drunk” who punched a doctor and attempted to punch a nurse at the Ayr Hospital was lucky to avoid jail and was fined for her actions.

Freda Judith Summers pleaded guilty to conduct causing a public nuisance under the hospital and health wards act.

Prosecutor Angela Goodwin said on September 24, at 7.15pm, Summers was at the emergency department of the Ayr Hospital being treated for a medical issue before she became aggressive.

“When she was being treated, doctors and nurses asked the defendant to remove herself from the hospital as she was very loud and behaving in a disorderly manner,” Ms Goodwin said.

“She also threatened the safety of staff and other patients. The defendant was then speaking to a doctor and punched him, and then attempted to punch an assistant nurse.

“She was intoxicated at the time and was released into the care of her friend due to the intoxication.

“The defendant offered no excuses for her behaviour other then ‘she is a nasty drunk’. Neither staff were seriously injured, and declined to lodge a complaint.”

Magistrate Ross Mack said that if the doctor or nurse had been seriously injured, or issued a complaint against Summers, he would have sent her to jail for 12 months.

“I would have done that because they deserve protection from nasty drunks like you, and because they didn’t make a complaint and because police can’t charge you under this particular legislation, I can only fine you,” Mr Mack said.

Summers was fined $300 for her actions.

No conviction was recorded.