A MAN from Abergele has been made the subject of a five-year criminal behaviour order (CBO), which includes prohibiting him from entering railway stations in Wales.
Stephen Evans, 41, of Maes Canol, was issued with the CBO after “numerous incidents and offences”, North Wales Police said.
He disrupted hospitals and minor injuries units across North Wales, intimidating staff and patients as he did so.
READ MORE:
Rhyl nursery closed weeks after inspection report and new management
Man ‘followed’ and ‘made sexual comments’ to boy in Rhyl
Abergele pub facing legal action alters its ‘Wetherspoons’ signage
It was alleged Evans visited hospital emergency departments and minor injuries units in North Wales more than 100 times since January 2023.
Staff felt his antisocial behaviour was so bad that colleagues were advised not to be left alone with him.
Evans left hospitals before being officially discharged on numerous occasions, forcing healthcare workers to leave their posts to look for him each time he did so.
This caused potential delays and disruption to staff and patients.
The terms of this order mean that he must not:
- Attend any hospital in North Wales unless in a genuine need of treatment, assessment or assistance, and must leave when requested to do so.
- Use foul, abusive, insulting, offensive, threatening, disorderly or intimidating language or behaviour in any public place in England and Wales or towards any person.
- Refuse to leave any shop or business premise in North Wales when asked to do so by a member of staff.
- Be in possession of an open container in a public place in England and Wales, unless in a licensed premise.
- Enter or remain on any railway station, train, track, yard or other railway property in Wales.
A CBO is an order designed to tackle the most serious and persistent antisocial individuals where their behaviour has brought them before a criminal court.
The consequences for breaching a CBO can range between a fine and five years’ imprisonment.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board chief executive, Carol Shillabeer, said: “It is always a difficult decision about whether to resort to criminal proceedings against someone but the safety of our staff and patients is paramount.
“Our colleagues go above and beyond the call of duty to try and help people every single day, often in the most trying of circumstances, and they deserve respect.
“This prosecution sends a very clear message to those who abuse, intimidate and threaten our staff and other patients. I want to give thanks to our colleagues in North Wales Police for their help in securing it.
“We have zero-tolerance towards abuse, threats and aggression in our hospitals and we will use the full force of the law to prevent such behaviour, if necessary.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here