‘Violent’ woman tagged and fined after attack on Royal Free nurses

Boyden attacked three nurses and hurled racist abuse at one of her victims. Picture: Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA Wire (Image: PA Wire/Press Association Images)

Poppy Anne Boyden was admitted to the Royal Free Hospital back in May after being found drunk on a street in Camden.

During treatement Boyden became increasingly aggressive towards staff before launching an unprovoked attack on three nurses yelling racist abuse and attacking one as well as physically assaulting two others.

Officers from the police hospital liaison team arrested Boyden on May 25. She was charged with assault on September 21.

Last Thursday Boyden, of Brayards Road, Nunhead, pleaded guilty to harassment and assault at a Highbury Corner Magistrates’ court hearing.

Sgt Paul Taylor said: “This is another example of the police and our colleagues in the NHS working together to ensure violence directed at hospital staff is not tolerated.

“Staff at the Royal Free tended to Boyden due to her own self-intoxication and as a result were met with a violent and abusive individual,” he added.

Boyden was ordered to pay £150 in compensation to two of her victims, £100 to her third and forced to complete eight weeks’ community service wearing an electronic tag. She was also fined £170 in court costs and charges.

The magistrate also ordered her to remain at home between the hours of 10pm and 6am until December 14.

Sgt Taylor said: “NHS staff, particularly those within A&E departments, have historically been reluctant to report assaults accepting it as ‘part of the job’.

“We continue to work with all NHS sites across Camden and Islington to encourage staff to report all assaults so similar perpetrators can be placed before the court,” he added.

A team of police officers was assigned beats at Camden and Islington’s hospitals in April.

The trio, overseen by Sgt Taylor, is exclusively attached to the Royal Free, Whittington, UCL and Great Ormond Street hospitals.