Man from Blackburn smashed hospital door after seeing his dad die (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Man from Blackburn smashed hospital door after seeing his dad die

9:46am Friday 15th February 2013 in News By Andrew Bellard, Court reporter

A DISTRAUGHT son who was in hospital watching his dad die smashed a glass door as he stormed along the infirmary corridor.

Blackburn magistrates heard Peter James Donnelly had been given alcohol by a cousin and became ‘upset and emotional’.

Donnelly, 32, of Maricourt Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to damaging a window belonging to Royal Blackburn Hospital NHS Trust. He was fined £70 and ordered to pay £150 compensation and £15 costs.

Carl Gaffney, prosecuting, said the offence had to be seen through the eyes of the defendant and his family and the trauma they were going through.

“He was in hospital because of his father’s illness,” said Mr Gaffney. “Staff had told the family the patient was dying and that turned out to be correct six days later.”

Mr Gaffney said that having suffered a nasty cut when he smashed the glass the police had shown a degree of sensitivity.

“They allowed him to get treatment and then return to his father’s bedside,” said Mr Gaffney.

“The charge was laid following a voluntary appearance at the police station some time later.”

Rachael Griffiths, defending, said there had been a tragic catalyst to the offence.

“His father had developed lung cancer which the family was told was very advanced,” said Miss Griffiths.

“My client had effectively been living at the hospital and the pressure was building on him.

“After drinking some alcohol brought in by a cousin his emotions got too much for him. He stormed down the corridor and when he pushed the door open his hand went through.”