A man, Andrew Stonier, 31, has been prohibited from entering Royal Oldham Hospital in Greater Manchester for three years after making threats to set the hospital on fire and repeatedly threatening staff. The local authorities sought a criminal behaviour order (CBO) against Stonier to safeguard NHS staff at the hospital until June 2029. This order is issued in England and Wales to address severe and persistent offenders involved in anti-social conduct.
According to Oldham Council, the decision to impose the order stemmed from several incidents where Stonier directed threats towards nurses and hospital staff, causing significant disruption as staff had to dedicate extensive time and resources to manage him. The court order mandates that Stonier is not allowed to access Royal Oldham Hospital until June 28, 2029, except for specific circumstances like pre-arranged appointments or emergency medical requirements. Violation of the order will lead to arrest.
Under the terms of the court order, Stonier is barred from entering any part of Royal Oldham Hospital, including clinical areas, wards, departments, A&E, and outpatient facilities. He is only permitted to visit for pre-scheduled appointments and must leave 30 minutes before and after the appointment, except in cases of genuine emergency medical needs.
Any breach of the CBO conditions could result in further legal action, potentially leading to a court appearance, as reported by Manchester Evening News. An Oldham Council spokesperson condemned Stonier’s unacceptable behavior towards dedicated NHS staff, emphasizing that such threatening and abusive actions will not be tolerated. They underscored the importance of protecting healthcare workers who tirelessly care for patients and ensuring that individuals causing harm, fear, or disruption in communities face consequences.