Man who scaled hospital roof wearing black gown and 'plague' mask fined

A man climbed on to the roof of a busy district hospital wearing a black gown and "plague doctor" mask, a court has heard.

Leon Gillespie, 26, squawked like a seagull, accused hospital staff of being "murderers", and spent three hours causing a nuisance at Glan Clwyd Hospital, Bodelwyddan, Denbighshire, last month, a judge was told.

At the hearing at Llandudno Magistrates' Court on 29 July, prosecutor James Neary said negotiators were called to the scene before Gillespie climbed down a ladder.

He admitted causing a nuisance on NHS premises, which only carries a fine.

District judge Gwyn Jones imposed a £200 fine and ordered Gillespie, of Deganwy, Llandudno, to pay £100 costs.

Jones told him: "It's clear you were going through some mental health issues at the time."

Gillespie had been detained for nearly a fortnight under the Mental Health Act, 10 days after the hospital disturbance.

Fines and compensation were also ordered for two thefts from shops.

Defence solicitor Michael Pugh said Gillespie had been diagnosed as bipolar and described what happened as a "cry for help".