Police called to A&E after 'erratic' loudmouth drunk's outburst at South Tyneside District Hospital

Abusive boozer Karl Palmer, 34, swore and was aggressive at South Tyneside District Hospital’s accident and emergency department.

Palmer, of Petrel Close, South Shields, was even asked by a patient to pipe down, but continued his unwanted and vile abuse.

Officers warned him to be quiet but finally lost patience when he continued his rant – and he was arrested for being drunk and disorderly.

Prosecutor Glenda Beck told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court how the incident unfolded at the hospital on Sunday, April 25, 2021.

She said: “Officers had cause to attend the A&E department.

“The defendant’s behaviour was erratic, he was polite but then aggressive and loud.

“He then became more agitated and was shouting and swearing.

“A patient from a different part of the hospital approached and asked him to be quiet, but his abuse continued.

“He was given numerous warnings by the police but continued with his language and his abuse.

“The officers identified him as being drunk, and he was cautioned and arrested.”

Magistrates were told Palmer was last before the court in August of 2020. At that time he on a charge of causing criminal damage.

For that, he was sentenced to a one-year community order, which is still active and was when he committed his latest crime.

But Mrs Beck said Palmer had also been convicted of “a variety of offences before”.

David Forrester, defending, said: “If the police tell you to be quiet, it’s a good idea to be quiet or you end up in the cells, which is what happened to him.”

The court heard Palmer owes £729 in fines and costs from previous convictions, which was being paid from his benefits.

Magistrates told him his offence was aggravated by the fact it was committed while he was subject to the community order.

Palmer, who pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly, was fined £80, with £85 court costs and a £34 victim surcharge.

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