Brother in hospital ruckus

Jacob Woods appeared in the Masterton District Court on Thursday.

After Jacob Woods heard his brother was involved in a serious car crash, he went to Wellington Hospital and jumped over the reception desk, trying to get past a security guard.

Woods' brother was badly hurt in a car crash on May 5 on Masterton Castlepoint Rd in which Laura Jessop, 19, died. He was flown to Wellington Hospital and was in the intensive care unit when Woods got into a row with a hospital security guard.

Woods appeared in the Masterton District Court on Thursday, pleading guilty to pushing the guard.

Defence lawyer Ian Hard said when Woods learned his brother was involved in the crash and his brother's friend had died, he was under stress and concerned about his brother.

"He had an altercation with a security guard. There was some pushing and shoving."

The guard was not injured.

Police prosecutor Sergeant Garry Wilson said Woods pushed the guard after jumping over the reception desk.

"He said he just wanted to see his brother."

Judge Peter Hobbs said plenty of other people had been in similar situations and didn't behave as Woods had. "When you were challenged by a security guard, you pushed him with both hands to the chest ... You were eventually restrained."

He said it would have been a difficult situation for Woods but hospital staff were also working under extremely difficult circumstances.

"I understand entirely what you [Mr Hard] say about the stress Mr Woods would have been under."

Mr Hobbs convicted and sentenced Woods to 40 hours' community work.