Bodyworn cameras support successful prosecution of abusive Rotherham man

The introduction of bodyworn cameras has helped South Yorkshire Police prosecute a man who subjected colleagues at Rotherham Hospital to abusive behaviour.

The footage was captured on bodyworn cameras worn by both Urgent and Emergency Care Centre (UECC) and security colleagues. It was used in the successful prosecution of Craig Bintcliffe, 49, of Spa Well Crescent, Rotherham, who was sentenced to 22 weeks imprisonment on Thursday 11 April at Sheffield Magistrates’ Court.

Bodyworn cameras captured his disruptive behaviour, which eventually escalated to threats to kill Trust colleagues. South Yorkshire Police were called and promptly arrested him. Just one day later, he was remanded to court where he was sentenced to two counts of assault by beating, one count of common assault, and racially aggravated harassment. He has been ordered to pay £154 in victim surcharge.

In addition to his criminal sentence, Bintcliffe has also been issued with a banning letter by the Trust. The letter bans him for from using all Trust services for 12 months, except in an emergency or life threatening situation. The ban will be reviewed after the 12 month window expires.

The Trust’s Managing Director, Michael Wright, chairs the Trust’s Violence Reduction Management working group. “Nobody should have to face abusive behaviour whilst working - especially when their job is to protect, care and support other people.

“It's wrong that our colleagues experience this at work and it isn't something we accept. Abusive behaviour towards our colleagues has consequences and we will take action against those who mistreat them. We hope these actions act as a deterrent and make those who abuse us think twice about their behaviour.

“We extend our thanks to South Yorkshire Police for their support of our colleagues in attending the incident, and for the actions they have taken since.”

Sergeant Neil Windle, of Rotherham Safer Neighbourhoods Service who works closely with the Trust, said: “This is another example of police and NHS colleagues working together to ensure violence directed at hospital staff is not tolerated. Our NHS colleagues are here to do their duty – look after you and provide the very best care, please respect that.

“Our teams across Rotherham will continue to encourage staff to report all assaults in order that similar perpetrators can be dealt with and placed before the courts. Quite often staff are reluctant to report such matters due to being immune to this kind of behaviour. It will not be tolerated. I hope this example of 22 weeks imprisonment goes someway to make the next perpetrator think about their actions towards our NHS colleagues."