Man 'irate' from A&E wait jailed for CS spray attack

A man who attacked a nurse and security officer with CS spray after becoming "irate" about the time he had spent in a hospital waiting room has been jailed for three years and eight months.

The department was closed for about three hours following the incident after emergency services were called to the scene.

Huczynski admitted a total of 10 charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, many relating to the hospital incident.

Sheriff Craig Findlater said custody was the only appropriate sentence given the serious nature of the charges.

CS spray is a man-made incapacitating gas - exposure to it causes a burning sensation in the eyes and watering.

It was previously used by Police Scotland officers from about 1999, but was replaced in 2014 with PAVA – pelargonic acid vanillylamide – which was thought to be safer.

Fiscal depute Dylan Middleton had earlier told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that Huczynski was being assessed in the hospital at the time of the attack, but became "irate because of wait times".

He swore at a nurse and was asked to leave before security was called. He then laughed, and threw food.

The situation escalated when Huczynski took a cannister from his pocket, shook it, and sprayed it in the faces of the male security officer and senior male nurse, who felt their eyes stinging.

He ran away and was pursued, but again sprayed the cannister, and the nurse fell to the ground.

The court heard a number of people were outside due to the effects of "cross contamination".

The decision was taken to close A&E to reduce any risk, as the substance was unknown at the time.

People were evacuated, and the department did not reopen for about three hours.

Huczynski fled the scene in a car, but was later traced and arrested, initially claiming he had acted in self-defence.

He admitted the two hospital assaults, as well as unlawful possession of CS spray, and recklessly discharging it to the danger of staff and patients.

He also admitted charges including driving while disqualified, without insurance, and being concerned in the supply of drugs.

Defence solicitor David Sutherland told the court on Wednesday he thought the public would be "horrified" with anything other than a custodial sentence.

He said Huczynski took full responsibility for what he had done and showed "remorse, embarrassment and shame", recognised the impact - causing alarm and panic - and apologised unreservedly for his behaviour.

The sheriff also imposed a 58-month driving disqualification for the motoring offences.