AN AGGRESSIVE lout attacked a police officer after refusing to leave Inverclyde Royal Hospital — then ended up on an A&E bed after banging his head on the ground.

Michael Jannetts booted a constable in the chest and branded police 'scum' after being told that he couldn't see his mother who had earlier been admitted to the hospital.

Jannetts, 39, had ignored repeated requests from medical staff to leave before police were called to the escalating incident.

He admitted charges of assault and threatening or abusive behaviour at Greenock Sheriff Court, then sparked an arrest warrant by failing to turn up for sentencing.

Defence solicitor Aidan Gallagher told a delayed hearing that his client, who committed the offences in July 2021, had lost his mobile phone and wallet and did not have the funds to travel to the court.

Procurator fiscal depute Anne Marie Hicks said: "At 10.55pm on the date in question, the accused was in the accident and emergency department at Inverclyde Royal after his mother was admitted to hospital.

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"Due to Covid restrictions at the time, he was told to wait in the reception area and he took umbrage to this.

"He became argumentative and hostile and staff asked him to leave.

"Staff suspected him to be under the influence and police attended after he refused to leave."

When officers turned up at the hospital, Jannetts was 'immediately hostile' towards them, shouting that he was 'going nowhere' and calling the constables 'bams' and 'idiots'.

The fiscal depute said: "He was again instructed to leave but refused and continued to shout and swear at police.

"Jannetts was arrested and removed from the hospital and taken to a marked police car.

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"On approaching the vehicle he kicked out against the car using force to push himself back against police."

The court heard that Jannetts was taken down by police and officers were concerned because he struck his head on the ground.

He was taken to A&E and while there he continued his abuse of police, calling them 'scum'.

Ms Hicks added: "While awaiting treatment on a bed he became agitated, raised his legs and kicked an officer on the chest."

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The PC suffered no injuries as a result of the assault, while Jannetts had grazing and swelling to his forehead and left eyebrow after his fall.

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan told him: "I understand your concerns for your mother that evening, however, that nor intoxication is an an excuse for your aggressive behaviour, especially in relation to assaulting a police officer."

Sentence was deferred for six months for Jannetts, of Auchinleck in East Ayrshire, to be of good behaviour and he will return to court on May 15 next year.