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The 26-year-old man in North Wales climbed on the roof of Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire while being dressed in a black hooded cloak just like a Grim Reaper
He was taken into custody and later presented before the court, where he was fined for the stunt (Image: X/@FearedBuck)
Hospitals are places of care, but patients and visitors at a hospital in North Wales were left shocked after a man dressed as the ‘Grim Reaper’ climbed onto the roof and allegedly tried to frighten people. He stared through the windows and made strange gestures and noises, which ultimately resulted in authorities arriving at the scene, arresting him and presenting him before the court.
The incident took place at Ysbyty Glan Clwyd Hospital in Denbighshire, North Wales. As reported by the New York Post, 26-year-old Leon Gillespie climbed onto the hospital roof wearing a black hooded cloak, which resembled the Grim Reaper. He also appeared to be carrying a long blade or scythe-like object with him.
During a 50-minute standoff, Gillespie walked along the rooftop, made unusual noises and gestured at people both inside and outside the hospital. The sight of the Grim Reaper-like figure outside the hospital caused distress to patients, visitors and hospital staff, especially as many of those inside were already in a vulnerable condition.
After people reported him, police and firefighters rushed to the scene. Authorities eventually brought him down from the roof without any reported injuries. He was presented before the court last month, where he was charged with causing a nuisance or disturbance without reasonable excuse on National Health Service (NHS) premises. He was fined by the court.
Besides this offence, he also admitted to unrelated shoplifting incidents from previous months, including stealing cat food and cat litter from a pet store, as well as goods from a supermarket.
“Bro Really Picked The Worst Place And Worst Outfit”
The unusual incident has now gone viral on social media, where people expressed disbelief and criticised the stunt that Gillespie pulled off at a hospital, with many calling it insensitive.
“Is that supposed to be illegal? But it is kinda wild though. Imagine you had a fatal accident and you’re being wheeled in, then you spot that on the hospital roof; you’ll just lose your fighting spirit,” wrote a user.
“People that take movie characters this seriously honestly need to get checked at a mental home,” another said.
An individual commented, “Guess he took ‘bring a little death to work’ a bit too literally.”
“Bro really picked the worst place and worst outfit for a stunt like that. I know the staff and visitors were completely caught off guard,” someone shared.
Meanwhile, a different person remarked, “I’m guessing he was in a restricted area (the rooftop is supposed to be inaccessible to the public). That’s why he got arrested—not because he dressed up as the Grim Reaper.”
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August 06, 2026, 16:22 IST
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