A third member of a gang that arrived at hospital pretending a pal had Covid-19 has been slammed in court.
David Foster was part of the group which attended the accident and emergency unit at Dumfries Infirmary where Ricki Anderson lay on the floor gurgling and wearing a sign claiming to have the virus while another filmed the incident.
They fled after nurses raced out to help them while wearing personal protection equipment but were later traced by police following a review of CCTV footage.
Foster pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing through a solicitor, but was unable to appear in Dumfries Sheriff Court because he was being tested for the virus after showing symptoms.
His solicitor, Vicky Urquhart, said: “It was a negative result and one might say it’s karma given the behaviour.”
However, Foster, 29, of Lewars Avenue, Dumfries, finally made a personal appearance last week and his antics with Anderson and Chris McQuarrie were heavily criticised by Sheriff Colm Dempsey for the hoax on March 3 this year.
He told Foster: “As you no doubt realise, this was an absolutely disgraceful incident.
“You seem to have a low risk of re-offending. I see no reason to dealt with this any differently from your co-accused.”
Sheriff Dempsey then sentenced Foster to 150 hours of unpaid work and told him it was an alternative to prison. He must complete the work within 12 months.
Anderson 33, of Balmoral Road, and McQuarrie, 30, of Annan, Road, both Dumfries, were also handed 150 hours of unpaid work with 12 month supervision orders.
They were sentenced earlier by Sheriff Brian Mohan who branded them “imbeciles” at their hearing.
A fourth man, Daniel Black, 32, of Dunlop Road, Dumfries was also charged with the incident, but he pleaded not guilty and a trial has set for next month.
