A Fife man kicked a nurse and tried to headbutt a police officer after being roused from his Valium-addled sleep at Ninewells and becoming irate at not being allowed to leave.
Dozy Jonathan Whyte had been arrested in his home town St Monans after banging on the door of a property for half an hour in the early hours of December 20.
Whyte, 27, was initially taken to St Andrews police station.
However, due to his level of intoxication he was conveyed to Ninewells emergency department.
Arrested in street
Depute fiscal Lee Corr told Dundee Sheriff Court: “The witness was asleep at her home address on Gourlay Crescent when she was woken by banging on her front door.
“The accused was heard shouting ‘let me the f**k in’.
“He continued to shout and bang on the door.
“Another witness (at another address) was asleep and also was woken by banging.
“The witness shouted at Whyte to get away from the door.
“Police were contacted. The shouting and banging lasted 30 minutes.
“Police arrived and arrested the accused and took him to St Andrews station.”
Nurse kick and police punch
“Police then had to take him to Ninewells due to his substance intake.”
The fiscal said: “He later woke up in the A&E observation ward and asked why he was there.
“Police explained what had happened.
“He stated he wanted to leave the hospital.
“He attempted to get out of his bed.
“Officers prevented him from doing so and the accused punched PC Alexander Craig on the face and attempted to headbutt him.
“Staff nurse Leanne Boath was kicked by the accused on the arm and stomach.
“He was then taken to Bell Street (police headquarters) where he was cautioned and charged.
“He responded: ‘I apologise for my actions, I was under the influence of drugs’.”
Sheriff’s disgust
Whyte, of East Street, St Monans, admitted the Ninewells assaults and behaving in a threatening and abusive manner on Gourlay Crescent, St Monans.
Defence solicitor David Duncan, in mitigation, said: “He is aware the court will take a dim view on disturbances at hospitals.
“He had taken a cocktail of drugs – including what he thought was only street Valium.
“He knows this is not an excuse.”
Sheriff Alistair Carmichael jailed Whyte for six months, reduced from nine.
He said: “You have a fairy lengthy record.
“You took the decision to take drugs.
“There is no reason why hospital staff and the police should be subjected to what you subjected them to.”
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