Patient arrested after alleged assault

Mt Barker police have charged a man who allegedly assaulted nursing staff and caused damage during a violent outburst at a hospital. The incident occurred on March 13, when an intoxicated 41-year-old man attended Plantagenet Hospital. According to Mt Barker acting officer-in-charge Const. Kevin Loveland, the man became abusive as he “was not happy with the treatment he was provided”. He was escorted out of the hos-pital but allegedly became violent towards staff. Staff were allegedly forced to lock the man in a triage room, where he picked up a chair and attempted to throw it through a window to get out. The window did not break, but the chair did. The Mt Barker man was arrested and charged with criminal damage and assault public officer. Const. Loveland said no one was injured but violence would not be tolerated, especially towards medical staff. The man is due to face Albany Magistrate’s Court on April 30.