Legal high youth goes on rampage in hospital

A TEENAGER on the legal high M-Cat single-handedly caused disruption in a hospital for seven hours, abusing the doctors and nurses trying to treat him, a court heard.

Staff at St Johns Hospital tried to calm Ryan Rae down. Picture: Ian Georgeson

Foul-mouthed Ryan Rae had put his internal organs at risk of serious damage by taking the legal high.

But although police and medical staff at St John’s Hospital tried to calm him down enough to deal with his self-inflicted problem he caused disturbances in a series of wards and treatment rooms, distressing seriously ill patients who were trying to sleep.

Lindsey Armstrong, prosecuting, told Livingston Sheriff Court that 19-year-old Rae, who was in handcuffs, repeatedly refused treatment, swearing at nurses and demanding to go home.

Hazel McGuinness, defending, said Rae was “appalled” by his own behaviour.

She said: “It’s my understanding from Mr Rae that it’s the taking of the M-Cat that’s caused the difficulties.”

Sheriff Susan Craig called for background reports before sentencing him on breach of the peace charges. The case was adjourned until November 27