Leon Gillespie fined after Grim Reaper-style hospital roof incident
Leon Gillespie pleaded guilty after police and fire crews responded to a black-clad figure on a Welsh hospital roof.
By Poppy Nakagawa · Culture Writer
2 min read
The Leon Gillespie Grim Reaper arrest followed a June 6 incident at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in St Asaph, Denbighshire, where he was seen on the roof above the entrance in a black hooded outfit, according to The Independent.
Gillespie, 26, later pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance or disturbance without reasonable excuse on National Health Service premises and was fined £200 by Llandudno magistrates, the outlet reported.
Reports described the clothing as Grim Reaper-like, but Gillespie said the outfit was intended to be a crow or bird costume. No reason for his conduct was reported in court.
What was Leon Gillespie fined for?
The conviction arose from the hospital-roof incident, not from the appearance of the costume alone. North Wales Police said the charge alleged that Gillespie caused a nuisance or disturbance to an NHS worker or another person there in connection with work, and refused to leave when directed by a constable.
The Independent reported that Gillespie looked down at staff and visitors from the roof. USA Today also included patients among those reported to have been watched, though the more detailed account named staff and visitors.
Witnesses reported seeing him holding what appeared to be a long blade. Other coverage described the object as resembling a scythe, so its precise nature was not established in the reports.
Police and firefighters attended the hospital
North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service were called to the site. The Independent reported four police cars and a fire vehicle were seen there, and that the episode lasted about 50 minutes before it was brought under control.
Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, which oversees the hospital, said it has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, aggression and nuisance across its hospital sites, according to The Independent.
Separate theft admissions were also reported
The roof case was separate from two theft matters reported at the same hearing. The Independent said Gillespie admitted taking £30 to £40 worth of cat food and litter from a Pets at Home store in Llandudno on March 26, and food and drink from a Sainsbury’s store in the town on May 28.
Reports also listed £50 compensation, £100 in fines and £100 in Crown Prosecution Service costs in connection with the proceedings, but the supplied accounts do not clearly assign those amounts between the theft matters and the separate £200 hospital fine.
This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.