Mother sentenced for threatening nurse at Worthing hospital

Hannah Leake, of Thorn Road, Worthing, was charged with using threatening or abusive words with intent to cause fear of or provoke unlawful violence.

The court heard that Leake was visiting her mother at Worthing Hospital when she asked a member of staff, Samantha Jackson, whether she could take her mother with her outside to go for a cigarette.

Gaynor Byng, prosecuting, said that Miss Jackson agreed but told her she would have to be accompanied by a nurse.

Leake then responded with a demeanour that was ‘extremely threatening’, adding that she would wait for Miss Jackson and follow her home, Miss Byng told the court.

Leake then returned to her address and made comments on Facebook, asking whether ‘someone could do something’, the court heard.

Miss Byng said Miss Jackon was left fearing for her safety and did not want to leave the hospital on her own.

Matthew Baines, defending, said of Leake: “Her response was entirely inappropriate.”

But he said there were a number of underlying issues, adding that Leake had a four-year-old child.

“This is someone who offered remorse and apology,” he said.

Magistrate Chris Howard-Harris said: “We understand the pressures you are suffering, but what you did was unacceptable.”

She was sentenced to a community order of 12 months and given a restraining order not to contact Miss Jackson, who was awarded £100 compensation.

Leake was also ordered to pay a further £385 in costs.

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