Jail for 19th assault on hospital staff

A 54-year-old woman has begun her third prison term for her 19th attack on caregivers.

Christchurch District Court Judge Brian Callaghan said today there was no alternative but to accept the pre-sentence report's recommendation, because of Margaret Mabel Dodds' continuing bad behaviour.

A voluntary patient at Princess Margaret Hospital's Seager Clinic in Chrsitchurch, she was being treated there for a severe personality disorder.

She has been jailed in May 2008 and February 2009 for assaults on her carers. Her latest sentencing was delayed to today by Judge Callaghan to get more information because of a feeling her behaviour was improving.

However, three days after the delay she ignored the instructions of staff and left the unit without a carer.

Then on March 31 she threw a chair at one of the nursing staff - an incident for which she has not been charged.

She was before the court today for assault, after admitting becoming upset on May 19 last year and throwing a half-full rubbish bin which hit a carer on the side of the head.

Dodds originally planned to defend the charge, but then entered a guilty plea.

Defence counsel Serina Bailey said Dodds' condition meant it was "mission impossible" for her to stay out of trouble. When she was stressed she behaved badly, and she became upset after court appearances.

She said a fine would have more effect on Dodds than a prison term because she had little money available and it would curtail the outings she paid for.

She also suggested that community work - such as cleaning up the hospital grounds - had also not been tried.

Judge Callaghan said it was a difficult sentencing, but there was no suggestion that Dodds' condition meant she was not criminally liable for her behaviour.

The reports to the court said prison would not upset Dodds' therapeutic plan and would reinforce to her that her behaviour was not acceptable.

"This is your 19th conviction for violence. What is remarkable is that all these relate to assaults on staff members working with you," said the judge.

Given the continued difficulties and the repeated offending, he jailed Dodds for two months.

- NZPA