A 34-YEAR-OLD man who threatened a nurse in the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) was sentenced to an 18-month probation sentence in Enniskillen Magistrates Court on Monday.

Stephen Large, with an address of Coleshill Park, Enniskillen, was reported to have entered the SWAH's Emergency Department (ED) on July 8 last at 1:30am.

The Public Prosecution Services told the court that witnesses reported a patient acting aggressively toward staff in the ED, with one witness noting Large’s “aggressive posture and tone of voice”.

The court heard that Large followed a Deputy Sister around the ward, and said: “I know your name, I am going to get to you.”

The PSNI seized CCTV footage and observed footage of Large pointing his finger at the staff member.

Defence solicitor Michael Fahy said his client had a history of mental health issues regarding a lack of anger control, and said his client had been attending a counselling service twice a week for nine to ten months.

Mr. Fahy added: “He is a young man, keen to get his life back together; he has accepted his behaviour on the day was appalling.”

He also emphasised that Large had submitted a letter of apology to the staff at the SWAH.

In convicting Large of disorderly behaviour in a public place, District Judge Steven Keown noted Black’s plea at a first opportunity, and his letter of apology during sentencing.

Handing Black an 18-month probation order, he said: “There is no logical sense in my view to give this man a suspended sentence.”

District Judge Keown continued: “I do not have much confidence that you will keep 18 months’s probation. It’s up to you to prove everyone wrong.”