Man who walked into Queen Elizabeth University Hospital armed with crossbow jailed

A man who walked into a hospital with a loaded crossbow has been jailed for 38 months.

Jordan Convery, 30, entered the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow on May 23, 2025.

Convery alarmed those inside the building as he made his way to the entrance with his finger over the trigger.

In the lead-up to the incident, Convery struck fear into his family as he had prevented them from sleeping the previous night.

Convery had followed them around the property near the city’s Govan with the weapon.

The 30-year-old had made threats that he was going to “shoot into the street” with the crossbow or throw fireworks with nails attached.

Glasgow Sheriff Court heard that Convery’s family felt “unsafe” due to his threats and believed that he would use the weapon against them.

Convery went on to walk down a number of streets in possession of the crossbow, which was loaded, and spoke to two members of the public.

He entered the hospital’s Atrium area around 6.30am, which was busy with staff and members of the public.

Security staff then intervened before firearms officers attended to arrest Convery.

The weapon was not discharged, and no one was injured.

The hospital’s atrium was closed for a short period, and traffic had been temporarily diverted.

The court was previously told by Convery’s lawyer, Kyra Steel, that her client had been suffering from a mental disorder at the time.

Ms Steel added: “He has no previous convictions, and this was an isolated incident.

“Following this incident, he was taken to Leverndale Hospital due to concerns over his mental health.

“He appeared in court and was made subject of a compulsory treatment order on the basis of the forensic psychiatrist’s report.

“He remained in the Rowanbank Clinic for eight or nine months and was transferred to Barlinnie prison.

“This was on the basis of a doctor’s report that he no longer has outstanding treatment needs.

“Him being sent to Barlinnie is indicative of a material change in circumstances as he is no longer suffering from the disorder and symptoms from the time of the offending.

“He had delusions, hallucinations and paranoia at the time, but this is something he is no longer dealing with and is no longer present.”

Convery’s mental health was explored, and his explanation was discounted.

Convery pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.

Sheriff Joan Kerr ordered that Convery be under supervision for one year upon his release from prison.

The sheriff said: “Unsurprisingly that alarming act attracted some publicity.

“Viewed objectively, your conduct would cause a reasonable person the utmost fear and alarm

“Whilst you may have been experiencing a degree of stress brought on by external factors, you were not suffering from a psychiatric condition.

“You were aware of the wrongfulness of your conduct. I must sentence you accordingly.

“I must impose a sentence which registers society’s disapproval of your conduct, and which will deter you and others from engaging in this type of conduct.”