A man forced an Aberdeen rehab centre to be evacuated after verbally abusing staff and setting off the fire alarm.
Joseph Gannon became “frustrated” after being told he couldn’t see a psychiatrist at the Timmermarket Clinic and began shouting and swearing at staff.
Police were called when he wouldn’t leave, but before they could get there the 33-year-old set off the fire alarm, forcing the East North Street facility to be evacuated.
Fiscal depute David Rogers told Aberdeen Sheriff Court Gannon attended at the Timmermarket around 10.30am on March 7 for an appointment, but became “unhappy” as he was told he couldn’t see a specific doctor.
Gannon became “aggressive” and started “shouting and swearing”, causing staff and patients to be scared.
When he refused to leave police were called.
Before officers could get here though, Gannon “deliberately set off the fire alarm”, forcing the entire building to be evacuated and fire crews to attend.
Gannon was then “found in the reception area, smoking a cigarette and shouting and swearing”.
‘He shouldn’t have acted in the way he did’
Gannon, of Balnagask Road, Aberdeen, pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, as well as three separate charges of shoplifting.
Defence agent Neil McRobert said his client was already serving a custodial sentence.
He said: “Mr Gannon’s mental health was extremely poor back in March.”
Mr McRobert explained Gannon had attended for an appointment but had been told to leave and come back on two occasions, which he did.
He added: “His understanding was he was meant to see a psychiatrist and would start to get some support.
“When he was told he would not be seeing a psychiatrist he became frustrated.
“He shouldn’t have acted in the way he did.”
Sheriff Robert McDonald imposed a two-year supervision order.
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