CBRN event in United Kingdom on Thu 10th October 2024

Man 'irate' from waiting in A&E attacked nurse with CS spray 5 hours ago Ken BanksNorth east Scotland reporter, Aberdeen Sheriff Court A man has admitted attacking a nurse and a security officer with CS spray in a hospital after becoming "irate" about the time he had spent in the waiting room. Piotr Huczynski, 37, admitted carrying out the attacks in the A&E department at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary on 10 October last year. A court heard that A&E had to be closed for about three hours after the incident while emergency services were called to the scene. Defence solicitor David Sutherland said that Huczynski admitted a total of 10 charges, many relating to the hospital incident. Sentencing was deferred for background reports. 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 told Aberdeen Sheriff Court that Huczynski was being assessed in the hospital at the time of the attack, and was "irate because of wait times". Huczynski 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". As the substance was unknown at the time the decision was taken to close A&E to reduce any risk. People were evacuated, and A&E did not open until about three hours later on the evening of the incident. 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.