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12 weeks imprisonment for man who caused a public nuisance at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and breached restriction of movement order

| April 3, 2020

A man has been convicted for causing a public nuisance at Stoke Mandeville Hospital and breaching a restriction of movement order.

On Thursday 2nd April 2020 Kierran Stevenson, aged 32, of Sewell Close, Aylesbury appeared at Oxford Magistrates Court where he was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment and ordered to pay £300 compensation to Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust after pleading guilty to two charges :

  • One count of causing a public nuisance.
  • One count of contravening the requirement as to the restriction of movement during the Coronavirus emergency period.

On Monday 30th March 2020 Mr Stevenson posted on social media saying he had attended numerous parts of Stoke Mandeville Hospital without a medical need to do so when it is treating COVID-19 patients and is closed to visitors and those with non-urgent appointments. Considerable distress and disruption to hospital staff and members of the public was caused by his actions within the hospital and in not complying with the government restrictions.

Mr Stevenson was arrested by officers from Thames Valley Police on Tuesday 31st March 2020 and on Wednesday 1st April 2020 he was charged and remanded in custody.

Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Lewis Prescott-Mayling of Aylesbury CID, said: ‘Stevenson’s actions were reckless in attending the hospital without a genuine medical need.

He has ignored the government advice, the clear signage at the hospital and caused upset to members of the public and NHS staff following his social media posts. In doing so he has breached the law.

At this time we must protect the vulnerable in our communities and do all we can to support the NHS.

Thames Valley Police will consider any offences and take the appropriate action in order to play our part in achieving this.

The overwhelming majority of people are acting sensibly and we have not taken this decision to arrest Stevenson lightly, but we believe this was necessary and proportionate given his attendance at the hospital.

The Court ruled his actions were a brazen disregard for the law which is there to protect lives, and that these could only result in a custodial sentence.

The Local Police Area Commander for Aylesbury Vale, Superintendent Michael Loebenberg, said: ‘The vast majority of our communities are following the government guidance and we hope this is an isolated case.

We will be visible in our communities, engaging with the public, explaining the restrictions in place and encouraging compliance.

Where necessary though, as in this case, we will take enforcement action to protect the NHS and the wider public.

CEO of Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust Neil Macdonald, said: ‘We would like to thank our colleagues in Thames Valley Police for their prompt and effective action in this case, and their continued support during what are challenging times for all of us.

To keep everyone safe, please stay at home, do not meet with others, even friends or family – and when you do have to go out for essential supplies, stay 2 metres away from the nearest person.

If everyone follows this simple advice, it really will save lives and enable the NHS, the police and all the other emergency services to look after and protect the public.

*Source of article : Thames Valley Police ‘latest news’.

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