Drunk man fired gun in struggle at hospital

Stephen Mark Evans arrived at the accident and emergency department at St James's Hospital, Leeds, on December 11 last year saying he had taken an overdose of Paracetamol.

He kept pestering staff asking how long he would have to wait and after an hour, instead of returning again to his seat, he produced what appeared to be a black pistol from his pocket, Conor Quinn, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court yesterday.

He had it down by his side but had been seen by another man in the department who punched him in the head causing him to fall to the floor, and then dived on him, attempting to grab the hand holding the gun.

As they struggled, Evans fired the weapon six or seven times which sounded like a firework going off.

Some police officers who were elsewhere in the hospital heard the noise and went to help, arresting Evans.

When interviewed Evans said he had been drinking throughout the day, had got depressed and taken the tablets, forgetting the gun was in his pocket. Ball bearings of the type fired were found in his pocket.

Evans, 40, of Garton Terrace, East End Park, Leeds, admitted possessing an imitation firearm and was given a nine-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months with supervision and a condition of undergoing an alcohol treatment programme.

Judge James Spencer QC said "When you couldn't get your own way in the hospital, when you had to wait like everybody else, you lost your temper and produced the gun and terrified the receptionist."

He added it was a serious offence but he had behaved in such a "silly and dangerous way" because of the state he was in at the time and reports indicated he would benefit from help.

Michael Greenhalgh, for Evans, said he realised he needed to address his drinking problem.