COLNE: Man with screw in hand threatened Burnley General Hospital staff

Christopher James Costello, who had turned on the officers after knocking back most of a bottle of wine in the toilets at Burnley General Hospital, had been abusive after arriving with a large screw hook embedded in his hand, the town’s magistrates heard.

Costello, who has more than 210 convictions, had been on bail for phoning police while he was on a bus, giving his name and making threats to kill Terry Graham.

The defendant (47), said to drink and self-harm when things got too much for him, had been on remand in custody for two weeks.

Originally from Colne, but now living in Crumpsall, Manchester, Costello admitted three counts of using behaviour or words likely to cause fear of unlawful violence. He was given a 12-month community order with supervision.

The Bench chairman said: “We think the best way of dealing with you is to try to get you some help to cope with these outbursts and the addictions you have got.”

Miss Katie Marsden (prosecuting) said, on December 9th, police got a 999 call and found the defendant on the back seat of a bus, smoking and drunk. He was arrested and cautioned, became aggressive and threatened to kill Mr Graham.

All the way to the police station, Costello was saying: “He’s beat up my little girl. I’ll kill him.” He made no comment when interviewed.

Miss Marsden said Costello later turned up at the hospital, pulled the screw out of his hand and threatened security staff after smashing a bottle on railings.

He then dropped the bottle and was detained until police arrived. Costello had 209 previous convictions, 25 for public order offences.

Costello’s solicitor told the court: “A 12-month supervision order will be far more difficult to comply with than four months in prison. He knows that but he wants that chance.”