Good Samaritans and hospital staff abused after helping Wick man who fell in street
Emergency services rallied round to help injured William McPhee after he fell in a Wick street – but they got no thanks for their efforts, Wick Sheriff Court heard on Tuesday.
McPhee (62) shouted and swore at them and also abused staff at Caithness General Hospital, later.
The accused, of Battery Road, Wick, admitted charges of threatening or abusive behaviour and will be sentenced next month.
He also pleaded guilty to having made sexual remarks to a police constable.
The court was told that a coastguard officer observed McPhee near the Camps Bar, at The Shore, Wick, on August 13.
Fiscal depute Grant McLennan said that the coastguard, engaged in a training exercise, got out of his vehicle to render first aid but drunken McPhee adopted “an aggressive demeanour.” The police were summoned and tried to help but the officers were also subjected to a tirade of abuse.
A passing consultant also stopped to assist but was unable to engage with McPhee.
Mr McLennan said: “The officers were unsure whether McPhee was suffering from the effects of alcohol or the head injury he had sustained in the fall and summoned an ambulance.”
McPhee was admitted to A&E at Caithness General Hospital where he abused nursing staff. They took him to a room in a bid to curb his behaviour but without success.
The accused was cautioned and charged before being discharged from hospital.
McPhee also admitted an unrelated charge of having sexually assaulted a woman in Thurso where he was staying at the time.
The accused, who since moved to Wick, touched her on her bottom, in Henderson Street, Thurso, on July 14.
He also pleaded guilty to having assaulted a police constable by grabbing his groin, causing him to take evasive action.
Sheriff Neil Wilson called for a background report which he will consider before passing sentence on October 15.
The sheriff warned that “all sentencing options” would be open to him.
McPhee, who has an offending record, was temporarily placed on the Sex Offenders Register, the period to be determined at his next appearance.
There was no motion for bail as the accused was previously remanded. His pleas, via a video link from prison, were tendered by Solicitor George Mathers.