JAILED: Swindon man who wrecked defibrillator at Great Western Hospital A&E

Jason Salt, 44, earlier this month pleaded guilty to damaging the life-saving kit in the A&E department at Swindon’s Great Western Hospital.

And at a hearing on Friday afternoon at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court, JPs sentenced him to 28 days imprisonment – also ordering he pay £100 compensation.

Schizophrenic Salt, of Rosebery Street, had visited A&E because his head was “all over the place”. He claimed he had been told by hospital staff effectively to go and see his GP, after which he became agitated, throwing a hospital telephone and then the defibrillator.

Swindon magistrates said it did bear thinking what might have happened had a patient at GWH needed the heart-starting equipment.

Following Salt’s sentencing, a GWH spokeswoman said: “We want staff to feel safe and supported at work and any abusive or violent behaviour will not be tolerated. Our security team work closely with Wiltshire Police and we will take action if necessary.”