The court heard the 62-year-old spat on staff threw a bin, made lewd remarks, threatened female workers and took his clothes off
A 28-month sentence was today imposed upon a man who assaulted nursing staff whilst an inpatient in Belfast’s Royal Victoria Hospital.
Gerard Kane was told he will serve half the term in prison followed by a 14-month period on licence when he is released from custody.
With an address as HMP Maghaberry, the 62-year old was sentenced at Belfast Crown Court for a total of six offences.
The court heard that on October 3 last year, police were called to the RVH by nursing staff due to the behaviour of Kane, who was an inpatient on a ward.
A member of staff reported that Kane has picked up a bin and tried to throw it at her. She said Kane then walked towards her with intent and she believed he was going to assault her.
After she moved out of his way and began walking to the nurse’s station, Kane followed her and made sexual gestures at her whilst glaring at her.
Another nurse reported to police that Kane threw a chair and when she approached him and told him not to throw things, he came towards her quickly and raised his hands.
In fear, she backed away but Kane grabbed her right wrist with his left right hand. She managed to disengage and walked away but a short time later the nurse heard the crash of a bin in Kane’s room, which had been thrown.
Following this, Kane approached the nurse’s station where he removed his top and threw it at her before putting his finger up and drawing it across his throat.
He then walked back into his room but again returned to the station, walked past the same nurse and gestured to her in a sexual manner.
Another member of staff observed Kane punching a wall beside his room and kicking fire door and a notice board and fire door.
She also reported seeing Kane lifting a chair and bin throwing the items which put her in fear.
One of the nurses also told police that around a week and a half before this, Kane’s behaviour was problematic.
She said Kane has tried to touch her bottom and breasts, that she told him to stop and that she had to move his hands away from her.
On this occasion Kane took off all this clothes, mimicked sexual gestures and made reference to his penis.
In addition, he ran after her and spat on the back of her head.
Kane was arrested on October 3 and when asked about the sexual assault, he said “I might have done it a couple of days ago, I definitely did nothing today.”
At the time of his offending, Kane was subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order (SOPO) which he breached.
He subsequently admitted a charge of breaching the SOPO as well as three counts of common assault and a count of sexual assault.
Kane also pleaded guilty to attempting to cause damage to a notice board and fire door belonging to the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Defence barrister Alan Blackburn spoke of a “very significant break” in his client’s offending between 2016 and 2024.
The barrister added that following Kane’s actions in 2024, his client “lost his liberty” and has been in custody since last October.
Other submissions made on Kane’s behalf pointed out his pleas to the offences spared the victims coming to court and giving evidence.
Noting Kane has 57 previous convictions, Judge Gordon Kerr said the offences occurred in a hospital “where the victims were engaged in caring for the public, including the defendant.”
The Judge also noted that the victims were anxious and uncomfortable as a result of Kane’s behaviour in their place of work.
Saying the custody threshold was “clearly passed”, Judge Kerr imposed the 28-month sentence.
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