AN ANGRY Carleton Clinic patient landed himself in court after he twice punched a wall when he was told he couldn’t leave.

Stewart John Campbell appeared before Carlisle’s magistrates’ court yesterday (June 4).

Defending the 38-year-old – who is a patient on Acorn Unit at the clinic – was Pam Ward.

She told the court: “The offence at the Acorn Unit at the Carleton Clinic in Carlisle came to light at about 7pm on the 7th of April.

“The patient on the unit was asking to go on unassisted leave. This was refused, which caused him to become abusive.”

The court heard how Campbell then punched a wall in the ward, causing a hole in the wall.

Mrs Ward added: “Another staff member arrived, and he then calmed down. He started rattling the doors trying to get out.

“He then punched the wall again.”

The court heard how in the aftermath of the incident Campbell – who has previous convictions for violence and criminal damage offences – had shown remorse and knew what he had done was wrong.

Prior to the arrival of police to the scene, the 38-year-old had already made a payment of £52 to staff at the clinic for the damage.

Michael Woolaghan, defending, said: “Prior to the conviction of the offence he (the defendant) was given the authority to leave the ward by a doctor, he asked for this and he was refused.

“Having been interviewed by police after, he acknowledged and expressed remorse for what happened.

“We have heard the damage was made good even before the police arrived. He made a payment of £52, which is a measure of his very apparent remorse.”

Magistrate Kevin Wilderspin imposed a six-month conditional discharge on the defendant and ordered Campbell to pay a £20 victim surcharge.