A Llandysul man left a Glangwili Hospital A&E nurse scared after he threatened to “cut off” her head.

Tony John Gemmer made the threat to A&E ward sister Tammy Rice on 23 May when Ms Rice approached him to ask him to stop shouting at receptionist Sian Thomas after he accused Ms Thomas of stealing money from him.

Thirty-two-year-old Gemmer, of Bradford House, King Street, pleaded guilty to intentional threatening behaviour to the two women, with his solicitor Alan Lewis saying that Gemmer was “shocked” and “deeply embarrassed” at his behaviour during the incident.

Prosecutor Rhian Jones said Ms Rice was told a patient in the reception area was being abusive and aggressive toward a receptionist.

Gemmer was shouting at Ms Thomas and accusing her of stealing £1,200 from him.

When Ms Rice told him to calm down and that Ms Thomas would not have been handling any money, Gemmer continued.

Ms Jones said that Gemmer had calmly told Ms Rice “be careful or I’ll cut your head off”.

He then left when he was told the police would be called.

Ms Rice told police officers that she had been scared by Gemmer’s comment and had been concerned about what he might do if he returned.

Police officers saw Gemmer walking back toward the hospital and arrested him, but Ms Jones said that he told police that he didn’t remember being at the A&E department or why he was there.

Ms Jones told magistrates that the incident meant Gemmer had breached a conditional discharge imposed in July last year.

Mr Lewis said Gemmer was horrified by his behaviour when he heard about it.

He said: “He recognises that staff in hospitals have a very difficult job anyway without people like him playing up, as he put it.”

Mr Lewis said Gemmer had been out of trouble for 18 months as the conditional discharge imposed last July was for an offence committed in December 2017.

He said Gemmer was receiving help from agencies which he felt was working and assisting him.

Magistrates fined Gemmer £120 and ordered him to pay costs of £115.

He will also pay compensation to Ms Rice and Ms Thomas of £50 each.