A Belfast man who kicked out and spat at police after being brought to hospital has been jailed for four months.
Michael Cullen, 26, also targeted paramedics during outbursts of aggression which involved goading officers bare-chested.
Cullen, with an address at Townsend Street, pleaded guilty to assault on police, common assault and two counts of disorderly behaviour.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard he was drunk and abusive to ambulance staff attempting to deal with him at University Street on June 24 last year.
Cullen turned on PSNI officers who called to the scene to provide assistance.
A prosecution lawyer said: “He goaded police, saying ‘Come on then’, taking his top off and showing aggression.”
He lunged at police, shouting profanities and spitting in the direction of paramedics before being arrested.
Cullen’s hostility continued when he was taken to the Ulster Hospital due to his condition.
According to the prosecution he tried to kick and spit on an officer while being moved through the wards.
He also head-butted a wall during the incident, the court heard.
Representing himself, Cullen disclosed that he suffered from schizophrenia and received anti-psychotic injections.
Deputy District Judge Liam McStay said it was a serious incident, mitigated by the defendant being “in a very poor mental place at the time”.
Imposing a four month sentence, Mr McStay told Cullen: “Spitting in a hospital these days is particularly bad.”
