A man admitted to Ninewells after consuming almost 100 street Valium coughed in a doctor’s face during the Covid pandemic after being told to leave.
Jordan Stewart, 29, was repeatedly abusive to staff trying to help him after he was admitted to the short-stay ward in the city’s largest hospital.
Stewart became aggressive with staff and told to return to his bed to receive further treatment, after he had consumed around 80 Valium tablets, Dundee Sheriff Court was told.
When being asked to leave, he turned his mouth deliberately towards a doctor and coughed.
This was in April 2021, when coronavirus restrictions were still in place.
The case described
Depute fiscal Stewart Duncan told the court: “The accused attended the short-stay ward on April 3.
“He told staff he had taken 80 Valium.
“A staff nurse observed him and saw the accused in bed.
“Later, she saw the accused be asked to return to his bed.
“The accused was shouting and swearing. He continued to do so.
“He was shouting he ‘was not getting any help’.
“He claimed he was being attacked by the doctor.
“A senior nurse called the police and as officers arrived the accused deliberately coughed in the doctor’s face.”
Stewart, of Dundee, admitted acting in a threatening and abusive manner, repeatedly swearing and shouting, at Ninewells on April 3 2021.
He further admitted to assaulting the doctor by coughing in his face.
Stewart will return for sentencing on June 29, with Sheriff Paul Brown deferring sentence for criminal social work reports and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
