A man has been jailed after launching an “extremely unpleasant” attack on a doctor in a hospital emergency department during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
Lee Welke, from Neath Port Talbot, attacked a doctor at the emergency department of the University Hospital Southampton on April 4.
The 34-year-old, of Pen Y Cae, Resolven, pleaded guilty at Southampton Magistrates’ Court to assaulting an emergency worker and was sentenced to 56 days in prison and ordered to pay a £122 victim surcharge.
A hospital spokesman said: “We are pleased a custodial sentence was served on this individual who assaulted staff members and caused much disruption.
“Not only is this behaviour extremely unpleasant and distressing, it causes an unnecessary distraction for staff who are already working so hard for patients without the added complication these acts bring.
“We will seek every opportunity for redress and sanctions through to prosecution for anyone who assaults our staff and offenders will be reported to the police on every occasion.
“We would like to thank Hampshire Police for supporting us with this case.”
