MAN FINED £200 AFTER CLIMBING HOSPITAL ROOF IN GRIM REAPER OUTFIT

Leon Gillespie, 26, pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance without reasonable excuse on NHS premises and was fined £200 by Llandudno Magistrates Court in North Wales. Gillespie climbed onto the roof of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in St Asaph, Denbighshire on 6 June, dressed in a black outfit he later described as a crow costume, which resembled a Grim Reaper outfit. He carried a long blade, made noise on the hospital building, and stared at staff and visitors from the roof. Four police cars and fire service vehicles responded to the incident after officers were alerted to a man dressed in black standing above the hospital entrance.

Gillespie did not provide a reason for his behaviour. The court heard that he had also stolen £30 to £40 of cat food and litter from Pets at Home on 26 March, and food and drink from Sainsbury's in Llandudno on 28 May. He was ordered to pay a total of £250 in fines and costs, plus £50 in compensation. A spokesperson for North Wales Police stated that Gillespie had been charged with causing a nuisance or disturbance to NHS staff and refusing to leave the premises when instructed by a constable.

Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board issued a statement following the court decision, saying the organisation maintains a zero tolerance approach to abuse, aggression or nuisance within its hospital sites.