The hospital staff thought they were simply helping a patient prepare to leave. Instead, they faced a furious struggle, a biting attack, and a series of escalating assaults. Sheila Sherwood, a woman ordained by a non-traditional Catholic group, unleashed a surprising level of resistance when asked to depart.
The initial issue stemmed from a simple request: it was time for Sherwood to go home. Told she was medically cleared at 10 am, she responded with a torrent of verbal abuse, according to the prosecution. The core of her refusal, it turned out, wasn’t a medical concern, but a lack of food for the journey.
A staff member, Mr. Gallagher, quickly addressed the food issue, providing provisions. However, Sherwood then refused to allow the removal of her intravenous cannula, escalating the situation further. Security was called, and a nurse attempted to carefully remove the dressing.
The removal of the cannula wasn’t peaceful. Sherwood actively resisted, requiring force to dislodge the line. As Mr. Gallagher tended to the small wound left by the cannula, she lashed out with a forceful kick to his groin, a blow described in court as causing “great pain.”
Even after the kick, the struggle continued. Sherwood was placed in a wheelchair, only to wriggle free and continue resisting. A security guard, Mr. Brien, then found himself on the receiving end of an unexpected attack – a hard bite to the hand, drawing blood.
Sherwood represented herself in court, vehemently denying the assaults. She dismissed the accounts as “lies,” proclaiming her innocence and claiming the conviction was false. She even asserted her inability to bite, stating plainly, “I cannot bite with no teeth.”
Despite her impassioned defense, Sherwood was found guilty and ordered to pay £420 in fines and compensation. The courtroom drama highlighted a chaotic scene that unfolded within the hospital walls, leaving staff members physically and emotionally shaken.
The case revealed a complex situation involving a patient’s resistance, a staff’s attempts to provide care, and a startling escalation of violence. It underscored the challenges faced by healthcare professionals dealing with difficult and unpredictable patient behavior.
