A woman who allegedly claimed Covid-19 was a hoax as she streamed video from her phone inside Gloucestershire Royal Hospital has denied behaviour that caused alarm or distress to others.

Debbie Hicks, 46, of Stratford Road, Stroud, pleaded not guilty to the charges at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court.

Prosecutor Matthew McCabe said Hicks had visited the hospital on December 27 and 28, but said the charge relates only to the second day.

He told the court Hicks filmed staff and patients to show the hospital was not busy before being challenged by two NHS workers in the main tower.

Stacy Stroud, defending, said Hicks admitted being at the hospital but denied being abusive or threatening to staff.

Hick was released on bail with a condition not to enter any hospital premises except for attending an appointment before standing trial at Cirencester on July 12.