SNS GroupA man with 110 previous convictions who drunkenly choked and kicked a hospital consultant has been jailed for 18 months.
David McLaughlin turned on Claire McGroaty, 40, at Glasgow’s Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on May 30 last year.
The 51-year-old had earlier struck nurses Laura Walker, 30, and Andy Hanlon, 38, as they tried to help him.
Senior medic Miss McGroarty voiced her disgust in a Twitter post after the incident.
She said at the time: “Lockdown restrictions eased on Friday.
“On Saturday, I was verbally and physically assaulted by patients twice under the influence of alcohol.
“This was not acceptable pre-Covid, it certainly isn’t acceptable now.”
On Monday, McLaughlin pleaded guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to assaulting Miss McGroaty to her injury.
He also admitted assaulting, obstructing, or hindering Miss Walker and Mr Hanlon as well as behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
The court heard a drunk McLaughlin was slouched on a bed and unable to help himself.
Prosecutor John Bedford said: “Nurse Miss Walker went to help him sit up but stated he did not want help.
“He lifted his right leg and struck her. He then claimed he needed to go to the bathroom.
“When asked if he had anything sharp, he became agitated and punched Mr Hanlon to the chest.”
McLaughlin also swore at the medics.
He then turned on A&E consultant Miss McGroarty, initially shouting he wanted to “go home”.
Mr Bedford added: “She put the side of the bed down and raised the back to sit McLaughlin up.
“He then lunged forward and grabbed her by the throat with his left hand, compressed it and restricted her breathing.”
He also left the medic bruised after booting her on the leg.
As McLaughlin was restrained, he threatened: “I’ll remember you and I’ll come back for you.”
It was revealed his lengthy criminal past included convictions for dishonesty, conspiracy to rob and drugs offences.
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