Violent teenager attacked hospital nurses

A teenager attacked three different members of the nursing staff during a violent outburst at Perth Royal Infirmary.

Eighteen year-old Christopher Simpson is already undertaking a Community Payback Order, imposed as a “direct alternative” to custody, and was on bail when the red mist came down at the Taymount Terrace complex.

And he could face detention when he returns to Perth Sheriff Court for sentence on January 13.

Sheriff Neil Bowie told him: “These are serious charges and you have a previous conviction relating to effectively an analogous matter.”

He called for a Community Justice Social Work report and a Restriction of Liberty Order assessment to give the widest possible range of disposals.

The court was told that Simpson first repeatedly punched staff nurse Andrew Ferguson on the face, knocking his glasses off and damaging them.

Next, he turned his attention to staff nurse Megan Forbes, spitting on her before sinking his teeth into her hand.

Then he kicked staff nurse Kirsty Ogilvie on the leg.

But his outrageous actions continued as he behaved in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and spitting – as well as issuing violent threats.

All of the incidents took place at the PRI on May 30, while he was subject to a December 5, 2019, bail order from the Perth court.

He had not guilty pleas accepted to two further charges – assaulting PC Evan McDonald by seizing him by the arm and squeezing it and spitting on PC Christopher McInnes’ body.

Simpson, of Castleview Crescent, Abernethy, was represented by local lawyer Billy Somerville.

He had his bail continued while the background reports are prepared.