By Katie Davies
The Evening Chronicle
DURHAM, England — Serial 999 pest Thomas Arkless has breached his Asbo banning him from abusing staff from the emergency services.
The 62-year-old troublemaker, of Brackenfield Road, Framwellgate Moor, Durham, was given the order to stop him abusing the NHS system and ambulance service after he called up to three times a day with imaginary ailments.
Now, he has been locked up for another month following fresh allegations that he was drunk in the University Hospital of North Durham.
Peterlee magistrates remanded Arkless in custody until June and sectioned him under the Mental Health Act.
Last month the Chronicle reported how Arkless was arrested for being drunk in a public place and urinating outside the hospital.
Peterlee Magistrates’ Court heard that he repeatedly abused the NHS system and hospital staff and JPs decided to remand him in custody.
Prosecutors claimed he posed a risk to the emergency services and other sick people.
Sergeant Dave Coxon, of Durham Constabulary, said: “He calls 999 and asks for an ambulance. When he arrives at the hospital he refuses to be seen and then just walks out.
“The public raise the alarm for his safety when he leaves and the same process happens again.
“Some members of the public who need an ambulance might not be able to get one because of him.”
The serial pest and alcoholic was given the Asbo after a series of incidents in the University Hospital of North Durham.
He would repeatedly ask to be taken to the hospital with imaginary ailments.
Steve Mooney, prosecuting on behalf of Durham police, said Arkless bombarded paramedics with 999 calls and used their ambulances “like a taxi”.
He would then leave the hospital without being seen and fall asleep outside, where another ambulance would be called to take him away.
In September last year, Durham Police successfully applied for an interim anti social behaviour order against Arkless. But he was arrested after breaching the order six months later.
The case was adjourned until next month.
Copyright 2010 Newcastle Chronicle & Journal Ltd.