A MAN hurled racial abuse at a nurse after being taken to hospital by police over concerns for his welfare, a court heard.
Stuart Fursland Baker, whose address was given as Mount Skippet Way in Crossways, appeared before Weymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, January 5 where he pleaded guilty to one count of causing racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress and one count of assaulting an emergency worker.
The court heard that, on April 25 of last year, police officers were responding to a call raising concerns for Baker’s welfare when they found him lying on his side on a grass verge.
Police saw that Baker, 45, was intoxicated and believed he may have had a fall and possibly suffered a head injury.
Charles Nightingale, prosecuting, said ‘out of their overwhelming duty of care’, the officers made the decision Baker required medical treatment and took him to Dorset County Hospital.
Baker is said to have been reluctant to go to hospital and upon arriving became verbally aggressive – calling a one police officer ‘a speccy tw*t’ before directing a number of racial slurs at a Pakistani nurse.
It is at this point, the court heard, that officers began to put Baker into handcuffs and a struggle ensued.
Mr Nightingale told the court that an officer at the scene believed Baker was attempting to “physically attack” the nurse.
In the struggle with police Baker kicked one of the officers in the chest though no injuries were reported.
Mr Nightingale said the assault was “a reckless attack”.
In mitigation, Mr Brazier said the case was “unusual” and that it was clear Baker did not want to go to the hospital. He noted that Baker was not arrested initially but received a postal requisition almost six months after the offence.
Baker admitted to drinking on the day and said it was because he was “upset about something”.
Baker said the use of racial insults was “particularly upsetting” because he used to be married to a Thai woman. Baker, who has limited mobility, was said to “rely on the NHS” and to be remorseful about the incident.
The case has been adjourned for sentencing to be heard at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court next month.
A spokesperson for Dorset County Hospital said: “We take the safety of our staff extremely seriously and will not tolerate any form of violence and aggression. We will always take the appropriate action to safeguard our staff and those in our care.”
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