Judge warns hospital disorder 'all too common' as man jailed

The front entrance of Altnagelvin hospital in Londonderry. A woman in a red coat can be seen walking past a statue while a number of parked cars sit outside the hospital entrance. It is dry and sunny, two trees are in the foreground, a number of hospital buildings in the background.Pacemaker

Lee Doherty, 34, of Creevagh Heights in Londonderry, was jailed for four months for assault, disorderly behaviour and criminal damage on 10 July 2025

A judge has warned that incidents of disorder in hospitals is becoming "all too common," as he sentenced a man to four months in prison.

Lee Doherty, 34, of Creevagh Heights in Londonderry, was sentenced on Friday after admitting charges of assaulting police officers, criminal damage and disorderly behaviour on 10 July.

Londonderry Magistrates' Court was told that police had initially attended an incident where Doherty was present and later found him being restrained by members of the public.

After being placed in a police vehicle, Doherty was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry, where he became aggressive towards officers.

'Kicked out at officers and spat'

Doherty was said to have kicked out at officers and spat in the face of one of them, prompting police to restrain him.

Defence counsel Sinead Rogan told the court that her client had little recollection of events, but accepted responsibility for his actions.

Jailing Doherty, District Judge Ted Magill said incidents of disorder in hospitals were coming before the court more and more often.

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