‘Reckless’ man jailed over hospital trip

A “reckless” man has been jailed for wandering around his local hospital to see the impact of Covid-19.

Kierran Stevenson, 32, was sentenced to three months in prison at Oxford Magistrates’ Court after posting his exploits on Facebook.

He was captured on CCTV at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, near Aylesbury, in Buckinghamshire, on Monday, after posting on social media that he was going to go walk around the hospital to see the extent of the coronavirus pandemic for himself.

He shared photos on Facebook of himself at the hospital and images of the corridors as he claimed that staff were not taking safety measures seriously, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

In one post, he wrote that he was going to Asda in Stoke Mandeville before a walk around the hospital, saying: “Time to have a look with my own eyes!”

Stevenson pleaded guilty to causing a public nuisance and contravening requirement as to restriction of movement during the emergency period.

As well as being jailed for the offence, he was also ordered to pay £300 compensation to the hospital trust.

Chief crown prosecutor Jaswant Narwal said: “Despite there being clear warnings about entering the hospital, Stevenson walked around the building, speaking with staff and breaching social distancing guidelines.

“His reckless behaviour was extremely distressing for staff and put them, patients and the public at risk.

“We will continue to prosecute anyone who acts irresponsibly risking harm to others during the current pandemic.”