A HOMELESS man who attacks nurses and racially abuses security staff has been banned from the grounds of a hospital.

Andrew Hooson, 37, racked up a catalogue of drunken and violent behaviour at the Royal Blackburn Hospital over the past year.

Police said he has hurled abuse at workers, been drunk and disorderly, carried out physical attacks and was most recently convicted of racially abusing a security guard.

Following that conviction, neighbourhood officers applied for a CrASBO – Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order – which was granted on Wednesday.

For the next two years, Hooson, who is currently staying at the Salvation Army in Heaton Street, Blackburn, is not allowed to attend Royal Blackburn Hospital or anywhere in its grounds unless he has a medical appointment, visiting an immediate relative or to receive genuine emergency treatment.

If he is legally at the hospital he must not behave in a manner likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to anybody present.

If he is asked to leave by NHS staff or security staff he must do so immediately.

PC Michael Walsh the community beat manager for Queens Park ward, said: “Hooson has been a nuisance and on occasion a danger to hospital staff who are trying to help him.

“Those working in the hospital should be able to perform their roles without fear of abuse or harassment and hopefully the terms of this CRASBO will prevent Hooson from causing further issues.

“We are very confident that the CrASBO will give the public more confidence that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated at the hospital.”

Tim Barlow, security manager for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The Trust will continue to work in partnership with the police and other agencies to reduce criminality on the Trust’s premises and against Trust staff.

“Recent court cases show the commitment of the Trust in their aim to reduce incidents throughout the organisation.

“Persistent abuse and misuse of NHS staff and the services they provide are a drain on resources and the behaviour is unacceptable.

“May I take this opportunity to thank all staff for their continued co-operation and in particular the reporting of incidents.”