Anti-lockdown activist convicted of 'abusing' NHS staff while filming inside Gloucester hospital
Debbie Hicks said she felt "lockdown restrictions were disproportionate"
Last updated 20th Jan 2022
A Covid denier who filmed inside a hospital to try and prove the coronavirus pandemic was a hoax has been found guilty of a public order offence.
Debbie Hicks, 47, from Stroud, filmed inside Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in Gloucester twice in December 2020, claiming it was empty of Covid patients.
She was confronted by two NHS staff on a stairwell of the hospital tower block who recognised her voice from a previous video she had recorded inside the hospital and live-streamed on Facebook.
In a confrontation lasting less than a minute, Hicks was "aggressive and dismissive" to the two therapists, Kate Williams and Sophie Brown, leaving them "distressed and intimidated".
She was charged with an offence under the Public Order Act of using threatening words or behaviour likely to cause harassment.
At the time of the offence in December 2020, Gloucestershire was under Tier 3 restrictions and days later would move to Tier 4 with people ordered to stay at home.
Hicks was acting as a "guerilla journalist", her lawyer claimed
During her trial at Gloucestershire Magistrates' Court, the lawyer representing Hicks argued she was acting as a "guerrilla journalist" during the filming to report what was happening inside the hospital.
In the first video, filmed on 27th December, Hicks said: "It is absolutely dead, it's a ghost town, I've never seen it so quiet.
"Where are all the people dying from the second wave? This is the proof we've needed in Gloucestershire, we've been locked down into Tier 3 for this?
"An empty hospital, this is a disgrace. All our people in our country desperately waiting for treatment...
"This is making me so angry walking around here. Look at the truth."
The next day, Hicks returned to the hospital where health workers Ms Williams and Ms Brown challenged her after seeing her acting suspiciously on a stairwell.
She was arrested by police the following day at her home in Stratford Road, Stroud, Gloucestershire.
Judge said Hicks was "aggressive and dismissive" of the two health workers
During a trial earlier this month, Hicks had denied using threatening and abusive words towards the women.
Lawyers representing Hicks had suggested her conduct was "reasonable" in the circumstances and that she had a right to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights.
They also suggested the prosecution was not "proportionate" in interfering with Hicks' rights.
District Judge Nicholas Wattam had adjourned giving his verdict to consider the case law.
He said Ms Williams and Ms Brown had given evidence that was "cogent, credible and without exaggeration".
"I have no doubt Ms Williams and Ms Brown felt threatened by Mrs Hicks' words and behaviour on the stairwell that afternoon," he said.
"She was aggressive and dismissive of them and tried to record a non-consenting interview of them while holding a mobile phone."
The judge said the prosecution had proven its case, but before he could find her guilty, he had to consider whether Hicks had a credible defence.
Hicks plans to appeal to the High Court
In mitigation, her lawyer Merry Van Woodenburg, said: "She does not have a job and lost any opportunity of employment. She is a registered psychologist and teacher.
"Her defence was funded by others who have similar public concerns."
Hicks added: "I am out of work and I am not claiming benefits. Just my husband's salary and we are in debt and struggling."
The judge fined Hicks ÂŁ120 and ordered her to pay ÂŁ775 for prosecution costs and victim surcharge of ÂŁ34.
Ms Van Woodenburg said Hicks planned to appeal direct on a point of law to the High Court by way of a "state the case".