Teenager threatened to kill hospital staff nurse

Zoe Smith’s bad behaviour in the accident and emergency department caused fear and distress to patients and staff, Blackpool magistrates were told.

Smith, 19, formerly of Strand Road, Preston, now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to behaving in a threatening manner.

She was fined £80 with £85 costs and ordered to pay £30 victims’ surcharge.

Prosecutor, Pam Smith, said police were called to Victoria Hospital on December 17 at 5am, where Smith was causing a disturbance.

She had been drinking and was threatening to harm herself. Smith was shouting and swearing and said she would kill a staff nurse.

The prosecutor said: “She was walking around disrupting the triage area, causing fear and distress to other patients and staff there.”

Smith, who had previously caused problems at the hospital, told police she did not mean it when she said she would kill a nurse.

Hugh Pond, defending, said Smith and her boyfriend had argued so she had come back to Blackpool and had nowhere to live.