A 26-year-old man from Deganwy in Wales landed in police custody after standing on a hospital roof while dressed as the Grim Reaper, looking down at patients, visitors and hospital staff.

According to reports, Leon Gillespie climbed above the main entrance of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd hospital in St Asaph, Denbighshire, on June 6. Wearing a black hooded costume, Gillespie stood motionless, staring at passersby and patients.

Witnesses reported seeing him hold an object that looked like a long blade.

Emergency responders from the North Wales police and fire services arrived at the scene shortly after receiving calls about the disruption, brought Gillespie down and placed him under arrest.

During the court hearing, Gillespie provided no explanation for why he chose to climb onto the hospital roof or why he wore the outfit.

He pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance or disturbance on National Health Service (NHS) premises without a reasonable excuse.

The Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, the authority managing Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, addressed the incident following the court hearing.

“The health board has previously stated it has a zero-tolerance approach to abuse, aggression or nuisance within its hospital sites,” the health organisation said.

Official charges against Gillespie included causing a disturbance to NHS staff and visitors on site, alongside refusing to leave the premises when police officers issued direct instructions to step down.

Along with the hospital incident, Gillespie faced prosecution for two separate theft offenses committed earlier.

Court records show that he admitted to stealing cat food and cat litter valued between 30 and 40 pounds from a Pets at Home store in Llandudno on March 26. He also admitted to stealing food and drink items from a Sainsbury’s location in Llandudno on May 28.

The court ordered Gillespie to pay a £200 fine specifically for the disruption at the hospital.

For the separate theft charges, the court required him to pay £50 in compensation, £100 in fines and £100 in court costs to the Crown Prosecution Service.