A leg-break victim who claimed he was in constant pain shouted and swore at nurses because they were refusing to amputate his leg.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard yesterday that Gareth Benbow, 37, had been taken to the high dependency unit of Raigmore Hospital on May 5 last year after taking an overdose.
But Sheriff David Sutherland was told that when Benbow came to, he caused a “rumpus” in front of other seriously ill patents because he was refused painkillers.
He also walked out of Ward 6a with a cannula still in his arm.
Retired staff nurse Victoria Hogg gave evidence in Benbow’s trial after he denied behaving in a threatening and abusive manner in the ward.
She said she had treated Benbow of Gilbert Street, Inverness, many times.
“He was told that he could not get medication because he was not currently on any analgesia. He got out of bed and started a rumpus, shouting that nobody cared and that he was suicidal.
“There were really sick people there and they got distressed.” Mrs Hogg added.
Benbow was warned by the Sheriff during her evidence after an outburst by him, claiming “a cover-up”.
He then gave evidence claiming that he was “screaming in pain” and staff were laughing at him when he said he was suicidal.
He added: “I wasn’t wanting medication, I was wanting an amputation.”
He said he had broken his leg five times previously,after first falling off a ladder several years ago and was in constant pain.
He also claimed he had an ongoing complaint about his treatment being investigated by the General Medical Council.
Finding him guilty, Sheriff Sutherland deferred sentence for a background and psychiatric report, adding: “There is obviously a background here.”
