A man has been prohibited from entering a hospital for three years after making threats to set the facility on fire and repeatedly threatening staff. Andrew Stonier, 31, directed “serious abuse and threats” towards healthcare workers at Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester, as reported by Oldham Council.
To safeguard NHS staff at the hospital until June 2029, the local authority sought a criminal behaviour order (CBO) against the individual. CBOs are court orders in England and Wales designed to address severe and persistent misconduct in anti-social behavior cases.
The council stated that the order was a response to a series of incidents where Stonier menaced nurses and hospital staff, including threats of arson, causing significant disruptions and diverting staff time and resources. The offender is now barred from Royal Oldham Hospital until June 28, 2029, except for specific situations like pre-arranged appointments or emergencies. Violation of the order will lead to arrest.
Stonier is prohibited from entering any part of Royal Oldham Hospital, including clinical areas, wards, departments, A&E, and outpatient facilities, unless for scheduled appointments with a 30-minute buffer before and after. An exception is made for cases requiring genuine emergency medical attention.
Individuals breaching CBO terms face potential criminal consequences and may be brought back to court, according to Manchester Evening News. An Oldham Council spokesperson condemned Stonier’s behavior towards dedicated NHS staff, emphasizing that such threatening conduct towards healthcare providers is intolerable and will not be tolerated.
The spokesperson added that the incidents imposed an unnecessary burden on hospital staff and consumed valuable NHS resources, leading to the securing of the Criminal Behaviour Order. This action underscores that harmful, disruptive, or fear-inducing behavior in communities will be met with appropriate measures to maintain safety and order.