A man known as the ‘Grim Reaper’ who climbed onto the roof of a hospital in an attempt to frighten visitors has been fined. Leon Gillespie, 26, admitted to causing a disturbance without a valid reason at an NHS facility and was issued a £200 penalty by Llandudno Magistrates. Dressed in a ‘Grim Reaper’ costume, Gillespie was fined for scaling the hospital roof while dressed in the outfit, where he gazed at staff and visitors.
Witnesses observed Gillespie brandishing a long blade and creating noise on top of the hospital structure. Clad in a black attire he later referred to as a crow outfit, his appearance shocked hospital visitors who spotted the mysterious figure above Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in St Asaph, Denbighshire on June 6.
During the incident, four police cars and fire service vehicles were dispatched to the hospital and successfully persuaded Gillespie to descend. Reports had indicated a man dressed entirely in black standing over the hospital entrance. Gillespie did not provide a justification for his disruptive actions.
Additionally, Gillespie was found guilty of stealing cat food and litter worth £30 to £40 from a local Pets at Home on March 26, as well as food and beverages from Sainsbury’s in Llandudno on May 28. He was instructed to pay fines totaling £250.
A representative from Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board emphasized their zero-tolerance policy towards abuse, aggression, or disturbances on hospital premises.
At the time of the episode, a spokesperson from North Wales Police stated that Gillespie was charged with causing a disturbance to NHS staff members and failing to vacate the premises when requested by law enforcement.