Mount Carmel patient charged with assault

A 31-year-old Mount Carmel Hospital outpatient was today charged with damaging a wardrobe and slightly injuring a nurse when receiving treatment.

Defence lawyer Stefano Filletti told the Court that on November 30, 2009, his client had a mental fit and while nurses tried to restrain her she damaged the wardrobe to the tune of €64.40 and breaking the nurses’ glasses.

He said he could not understand how a patient recovering at Mount Carmel could be charged with voluntary damage and assaulting a nurse. During the incident his client had even threatened to take her own life and this case could lead her to lose her part time job in the civil service.

Dr Filletti said he will be holding the authorities responsible for all damages.

In response, Police Inspector Kevin Farrugia said that according to law, unless he has a certificate from Mount Carmel Hospital stating that she was mentally unfit at the time, he would have to proceed in all cases.

Dr Filletti said that his client had paid the bill for the wardrobe and the nurse for her glasses and yet there were still criminal proceedings against her.

Police Inspector Farrugia said that one should keep in mind that not every patient at Mount Carmel was in such a constant mental state that would render them unaccountable for their actions.

Dr Filletti asked the Court who was legally responsible for a patient at Mount Carmel.

This question is expected to be addressed during the next sitting.