A Sunderland man racially abused a security guard and made a motion with his groin while making a shock sexual suggestion to a nurse at the city’s main hospital, a court heard.
Andrew Bailey, 44, used a four letter swear word in referencing the guard’s dark skin after his behaviour caused concern at Sunderland Royal Hospital on Sunday, June 22.
Bailey, of Ryhope Street South, Ryhope Colliery, also swore in telling a nurse to go away and then made the sexual suggestion to another, prosecutor Chike Anieto said.
He had attended the site for treatment for a head injury after being attacked by a group of men earlier that day, magistrates in South Tyneside were told.
Mr Anieto said: “The security guard was summoned by members of staff to escort the defendant outside the premises, due to an ongoing incident.
“He approached the defendant in the waiting room and asked him to follow him out.
“Other members of staff were also abused by the defendant before he was persuaded to go into the car park area.
“At this point, the defendant made other comments and to a nurse, he also made a motion towards his groin.”
Bailey, who has 10 previous convictions from 14 offences, pleaded guilty to a charge of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.
Emily Baker Harrington, defending, said Bailey, who was born in Africa and lived in Germany for 30 years before coming to the UK last year, denied being a racist.
She added: “He was shocked and ashamed when I read out the charge sheet. He said, ‘I’m not a racist’. He made full admissions in interview in relation to specific conduct.
“He does wish for me to make it clear that he wasn’t swearing towards the nurses or members of staff but to a friend he was with.
“It is accepted he was swearing in the waiting room. He had sustained a head injury after being jumped on that day by males.
“He did make comments to the security guard which he is ashamed of. He tells me he is remorseful.”
Magistrates fined Bailey £140, with £85 court costs and a £56 victim surcharge.
Source – Sunderland echo
