A MAN who attacked two hospital workers and a police officer has been spared jail.

Geoffrey Jones, of Elm Grove in Buckley, appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court on Monday. 

The 57-year-old had previously admitted that he assaulted two members of Wrexham Maelor Hospital Staff and a police officer on September 2.

Diane Williams, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant came to the attention of healthcare worker Ayodele Macauley at around 1.30am when he came out of his room asking to go for a cigarette.

Jones was asked to wait so that someone could go with him.

He began shouting and swearing at the victim, and as Mr Macauley attempted to prevent him from leaving, he grabbed him with force and pushed him into a set of double doors.

The victim injured his back on the door handle, and said the defendant was stronger than him.

Jones was taken back to his room and continued to shout and kick out.

"This is the first time anything like this has happened to me," Mr Macauley said in his victim statement.

"I was shocked. I come to work to help people - not to be assaulted."

The second victim was Dane Stephen Edwards, a hospital security guard who came to assist when Jones was causing issues.

The defendant kicked him, delivering a 'glancing' blow in the testicles, the court heard.

Police arrived and arrested the defendant.

While he was being booked into custody at Llay, Jones' handcuffs were removed.

He proceeded to strike PC James Ankers to the face with a closed fist, and was subsequently taken to the ground.

A probation officer who interviewed the defendant prior to the hearing told the court it had been "extremely difficult" to get Jones to engage and answer questions.

"He has memory loss and couldn't remember any of his actions on the day," she said.

"His answers were really confusing - it was difficult to interview him and get answers."

The Leader:

She did say however that when confronted with the facts of his offences, Jones had admitted his behaviour had been "shameful."

Dave Matthews, defending, said: "I have dealt with Mr Jones before - he used to live on the streets.

"These offences stem from him being taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital in a confused state, and that's really at the heart of his offending.

"He has support workers and is supported by the local authority but one thing that's not happened is a formal assessment of his mental health.

"There is a mental health condition underlying his offending - I feel there is some form of dementia.

"He has difficulty remembering every detail, and can't even remember his own address.

"It is a sad case and without him being diagnosed, my fear is that imposing a community order could be setting him up to fail."

RECOMMENDED READING: 

Ceri Lewis, Chair of the Magistrates, told the defendant: "These offences are serious - because any assault against an emergency worker is unjustified.

"They should be entitled to do their very difficult jobs without fear of abuse or harm.

"And the offences in this case are made more serious because this is the third time you've committed them within a couple of years."

The defendant received a four week custodial sentence on each of the offences to run concurrently.

But they were suspended for a year.

Jones must pay £40 to each of his three victims, as well as a £154 victim surcharge and £85 costs.