Baby drama

Published 25 Mar 2010 09:59 0 Comments

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COURT: McQuaker's bail conditions ban him from the RAH

A DRUNKEN man caused chaos in a maternity ward when he refused to return a six-day-old baby to its mother.

Plastered Stewart McQuaker, 44, instilled panic in the room after he picked up the infant and strode around before lying on a bed with the tot and snubbing requests to give it back.

Midwives at the Royal Alexandra Hospital (RAH) were so alarmed by his behaviour that they removed two patients and another newborn from the ward.

They then tried to retrieve the baby from McQuaker, Paisley Sheriff Court heard yesterday (Tuesday).

Sheriff David Pender was told that his aggressive actions were likely to cause unnecessary injury to the child, and that he hindered staff from performing their duties. McQuaker also assaulted staff as they attempted to stop him, before resisting arrest when police arrived - obstructing, molesting, and struggling with officers when they tried to lift him.

When McQuaker originally appeared in custody following the incident on August 13 last year, he was released on bail with conditions in place banning him from entering the RAH.

Shame-faced McQuaker, of Barnes Street, Barrhead, pled guilty to four of the charges brought against him.

Whilst depute fiscal Peter Galletly accepted the pleas, Sheriff David Pender noted previous convictions for breach of the peace, and requested an in-depth background report before considering appropriate disposal.

Declining a full narration of the facts, Sheriff Pender called for social enquiry reports and a community service assessment." McQuaker will learn his fate later next month.

This article appeared in Barrhead News 24 Mar 10

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