Police spotted a Derry man on the Glenshane Road with a needle and ECG pads still attached to his body after he refused hospital treatment and damaged a door to get out.

Sean Connell, 20, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to charges of attempted criminal damage and disorderly behaviour on July 23, 2017.

A Public Prosecutor said the defendant was observed by police ‘walking down the Glenshane Road’, on the morning of the date in question.

The defendant still had a cannula inserted in his arm and ECG pads on his chest.

The court heard he had refused treatment at A&E and was reported as a missing person.

During treatment he ‘became aggressive wanting to leave’ and tried to remove a cannula from his arm.

He left, and a porter followed him to an electric door near an X-ray unit, where he said: “If ye don’t open it I’ll smash it through.”

Connell was said to have kicked the door several times until it gave way, causing damage of £150.

Defence barrister Eoghan Devlin said his client ran outside and had ‘no ill will towards anyone else’.

He told the court the 20-year-old had been suffering from poor mental health at the time due to delays in getting an appointment.

Although it took place in a hospital Mr Devlin said it was more nuanced than other disorderly cases that take place there, as Connell had a ‘panic attack’ which was evidenced by his actions in running away with a needle in his arm during medical treatment.

The defendant was sentenced to three months in prison, suspended for twelve months, and ordered to pay £150 in compensation to the Western Health and Social Care Trust.

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