A man who made threats to set a hospital on fire and repeatedly targeted staff has been barred from the premises for three years. Andrew Stonier, aged 31, directed severe abuse and threats towards employees at Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester, according to the Oldham Council.
The local authority pursued a criminal behaviour order (CBO) against the individual to safeguard NHS staff at the hospital until June 2029. This type of court order in England and Wales is issued to address the most persistent offenders engaged in anti-social behavior.
The council stated, “The order was prompted by a series of incidents where the offender menaced nurses and hospital staff with threats, including setting the hospital ablaze. This conduct caused significant disruption, with staff having to allocate substantial time and resources to manage Stonier.”
Under the court order, the individual is forbidden from entering Royal Oldham Hospital until June 28, 2029, except for specific circumstances like scheduled appointments or emergency medical needs. Violating the order will lead to arrest.
As per the terms of the CBO, Stonier is prohibited from accessing any area within Royal Oldham Hospital, including clinical spaces, wards, departments, A&E, and outpatient facilities. He is allowed entry only for pre-arranged appointments, with a mandatory departure 30 minutes before and after. An exception applies solely in cases of genuine emergency medical requirements.
Any breach of the CBO conditions may result in additional legal action and a potential return to court, as reported by Manchester Evening News. An Oldham Council spokesperson condemned the individual’s unacceptable behavior towards dedicated NHS staff, emphasizing that threatening, abusive, or intimidating conduct during their duties is intolerable. The spokesperson highlighted the unnecessary strain imposed on hospital resources due to the offender’s actions and emphasized the council’s commitment to taking strict measures against behavior causing harm or disruption in the community.