A BLACKWOOD man faces jail after assaulting a member of staff at the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport and "lashing out" at nurses and patients.
Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard how Gareth Martin Roberts, 39, had to be strapped down and left on a trolley for over an hour after throwing punches and swearing, with another man waiting in accident and emergency having to help restrain him.
Prosecutor Mark Salter described Roberts of High Street, Fleur-de-Lys as being "extremely drunk" when he was brought into a busy corridor of accident and emergency at 9pm on Christmas Eve.
It was also suspected he had tried to take an overdose, with medical technicians trying to restrain him as he "punched his arms in the air, trying to leave the trolley".
Health care support worker Jamie Meredith said in a statement: "He was lashing out at members of staff with his fists, so was strapped down and left. But, he continued shouting and being abusive in what was a very busy waiting area."
Mr Salter said security and member of the public Robert Smith had to restrain him again as he continued lashing out before deputy sister Susan Jefferiss approached the defendant.
The prosecutor added: "He grabbed her left wrist tightly, causing her to feel immediate pain. Mr Smith had to help extricate his grip and there was reddening, with Ms Jefferiss needing her arm X-rayed because of the swelling."
Defence solicitor Andrew Costley said Roberts had drunk two bottles of sherry and couldn’t remember anything of his behaviour.
He said: "He was awoken on Christmas morning by the custody sergeant and told what had happened. He is absolutely disgusted with himself, ashamed. Hospital staff shouldn’t be treated that way and he offers his profuse apologies."
Roberts pleaded guilty to assaulting Ms Jefferiss and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.
He will be sentenced on February 14 after a pre-sentence report is compiled, with chairman of the bench Alan Penfold warning all options are open, including prison.
