County Derry woman admits assaulting doctor and nurse at Altnagelvin A&E
Court hears how a doctor was punched from behind and a nurse pushed in the chest
A woman will be sentenced in September after she admitted assaulting a doctor and a nurse in Altnagelvin Hospital.
Elaine McCloskey (49) of Church Street in Limavady admitted the two assaults that occurred on May 22 this year when she appeared at Derry Magistrate's Court today.
The court was told that McCloskey was in the A&E department when the defendant approached a doctor from behind and punched her on the back causing 'discomfort and shock'.
Later the defendant squared up to staff putting them in fear of assault.
McCloskey also pushed a nurse in the chest causing her to stumble.
Defence solicitor Jack Quigley said he was going to ask the court to deal with this case today.
However, District Judge Suzanne Rice said that she wanted a pre-sentence report after what she heard.
She said that this woman had assaulted two members of staff as they went about their business.
The judge said the courts would not tolerate assaults on emergency staff and added that the custody threshold had been reached.
She said she also wanted both injured parties to be asked did they wish to make a victim impact report.
McCloskey will be sentenced on September 23.