‘Grim Reaper’ on Hospital Roof: UK Man Fined After Scaring Staff and Visitors
A 26-year-old man in North Wales has been fined after climbing onto the roof of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital dressed in a 'Grim Reaper'-style outfit, alarming staff, patients and visitors. Leon Gillespie pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance on NHS premises. He also admitted separate shoplifting offences involving cat food, litter, food and drinks, and was ordered to pay fines, costs and compensation.
A 26-year-old man has been fined after climbing onto the roof of a hospital in North Wales while dressed in a "Grim Reaper"-style outfit, prompting an emergency response and alarming staff, patients and visitors. Leon Gillespie pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance without reasonable excuse on National Health Service (NHS) premises and was fined by Llandudno Magistrates' Court.
The incident took place on June 6 at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in St Asaph, Denbighshire. Authorities said Gillespie remained on the roof for nearly an hour before police and firefighters brought him down. Mystery Blue Sea Creatures Cover UK Beaches, Leave Visitors Stunned.
‘Grim Reaper’ Spotted on UK Hospital Roof, Fined
A man dressed as the Grim Reaper was arrested after climbing onto a hospital roof and scaring patients and visitors
He was previously caught stealing kitty litter from a pet store months earlier pic.twitter.com/IsMzQEXovb
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) August 4, 2026
Grim Reaper-Dressed Man Who Climbed Hospital Roof Ordered to Pay Fine
According to court proceedings, Gillespie was dressed in an all-black hooded outfit, which he later described as a crow costume, and appeared to be carrying a long blade while making noise from the hospital roof. Four police vehicles and fire service crews responded after reports of a man standing above the hospital entrance dressed entirely in black. No explanation for the incident was provided during the court hearing.
Gillespie pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance without reasonable excuse on NHS premises. At the time of the incident, a spokesperson for North Wales Police said: "He was charged with other than for the purpose of obtaining medical advice, treatment or care, caused, without reasonable excuse, a nuisance or disturbance to a National Health Service staff member who was working there or was otherwise there in connection with work, and refused, without reasonable excuse, to leave the premises when asked to do so by a constable." The court imposed a £200 fine for the hospital offence. Haldiram’s UK Outlet in London Temporarily Closes Weeks After Viral Leicester Square Debut.
Separate Shoplifting Offences
The court also heard that Gillespie admitted stealing £30 to £40 worth of cat food and cat litter from a Pets at Home store on March 26, along with food and drink from a Sainsbury's store in Llandudno on May 28.
He was ordered to pay £100 in fines, £100 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service and £50 in compensation.
Hospital Reiterates Zero-Tolerance Policy
Following the incident, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board reiterated its position on disruptive behaviour at healthcare facilities. A spokesperson said: "The health board has previously stated it has a zero tolerance approach to abuse, aggression or nuisance within its hospital sites."
The case has drawn attention due to the unusual nature of the incident and the emergency response it prompted at the hospital.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 05, 2026 03:13 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
