Blackburn Hospital ban man is jailed (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn Hospital ban man is jailed

1:00pm Monday 7th January 2013 in News

A 38-YEAR-OLD man who failed to leave the Royal Blackburn Hospital after being discharged has been jailed.

Magistrates heard Andrew Hooson was banned from the hospital under an anti-social behaviour order.

And jailing him for eight weeks District Judge Peter Ward said the National Health Service was already stretched and could do without the problems caused by Hooson.

“I accept you didn’t actually cause trouble and if this was your first offence you wouldn’t be going to prison,” said Mr Ward. “The hospital doesn’t need people like you hanging around. The staff have better things to do than keep an eye on you.”

Hooson, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to breaching an Asbo after Blackburn Magistrates' Court were told there had been four breaches in 2012, three of which led to custodial sentences.

Peter Wild, prosecuting, said a hospital security guard became aware of Hooson slumped against a wall at 2.30 pm. Hooson said he was waiting for a lift and was told to leave.

The security officer saw on CCTVthat Hooson had been approaching members of the public and had then gone back into the hospital.

Ian Huggan, defending, said Hooson had gone to hospital with a genuine problem with his leg.

“He is entitled to attend for medical treatment but what he failed to do was leave when asked to by the security officer,” he said.