Man charged after doctor and police officer attacked at Royal Sussex
It's the second incident at the Brighton hospital in just two weeks
Last updated 22nd Jan 2021
Police have condemned an 'unacceptable' attack on a doctor and a police officer at Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital.
A 20-year-old man has been charged following the incident at around 10.30pm on Wednesday (January 20th).
Officers were called there following reports that a heavily intoxicated man had punched an A & E doctor to the floor.
While being arrested for assaulting an emergency worker, the 20-year-old suspect spat directly in the face of a police officer and was further arrested for a second count of assaulting an emergency worker.
Harry Bedford, 20, of Pelham Street, was charged with three counts of assaulting an emergency worker and possession of a Class B drug.
He has been remanded to appear at Brighton Magistrates' Court on Friday (January 22nd).
Sussex Police Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cullimore said:
"Attacking frontline workers who are carrying out their duties to keep the public safe is simply unacceptable.
"Our officers work extremely hard to protect the public through what has been a challenging time for everyone - and there is no excuse for this kind of behaviour.
"I am personally very grateful to our officers and NHS staff for the incredible work they carry out to look after local communities. Any reports of assaults against emergency workers will be dealt with robustly."
Last week a woman from Brighton was jailed after assaulting two police officers and a paramedic at the same hospital, while claiming to have Covid-19.
34-year-old Christina Whelan of Danehill Road pled guilty to three charges of assaulting an emergency worker, assault by beating, obstructing a constable in their execution of duty and using threatening / abusive words or behaviour likely to cause alarm or distress following the incident on January 12th.
She was sentenced to a total of 36 weeks' imprisonment.