AN ABUSIVE lout from Auchinleck who assaulted a police officer at a hospital after refusing to leave has been ordered to pay back to the community for his "unacceptable behaviour".

Michael Jannetts had been placed on a structured deferred sentence for six months in November last year and was told to stay out of trouble, having been convicted of two offences from 2021.

However, the 39-year-old failed to take the chance of a more lenient punishment - as a follow-up court hearing was told that a 'poor' progress report was 'not satisfactory'.

Jannetts, of Arran Drive, attended Inverclyde Royal Hospital in Greenock shortly before midnight on July 8 three years ago, alongside his mother, who had been admitted to the accident and emergency department.

Greenock Sheriff Court heard that Jannetts was told he'd have to wait in the reception area.

He became "argumentative" with hospital staff before being asked to leave "due to his mannerisms".

Police were requested to assist and Jannetts, who was under the influence at the time, was "immediately hostile" towards officers.

He shouted, swore, told them that he was going nowhere and called them "bams" and "idiots".

He was eventually apprehended and taken to a police vehicle, but hit his head on the ground during the arrest and had to be escorted back to A&E for a medical assessment amid "concern for his wellbeing".

He continued his abuse of the constables, referring to them as "scum", and tried to flee before being seen by a doctor.

The procurator fiscal depute told the court: "Once admitted to a treatment room he was on a bed and then swung his legs over the side of the bed stating his intention to leave.

"Officers attempted to calm him; however, he became more agitated and leaned backwards, raised both legs and kicked out towards officers, kicking one to the chest.

"He was restrained and assessed by a doctor and deemed fit to be released.

"No injuries were reported."

Defence solicitor Aidan Gallagher said "alcohol was clearly an issue" in the incident.

Mr Gallagher said: "He has been trying to curtail his level of drinking since.

"Intoxication and injury is no excuse, but that appears to be the state he found himself in.

"Police were being dutiful towards him in ensuring his welfare. They should not be subjected to that type of abuse, either verbal or physical."

Sheriff Anthony McGeehan said: "Mr Gallagher has recognised that police have a difficult enough job without being subjected to the type of behaviour in this offence, as well as staff and other persons at IRH.

"This took place within the A&E ward, where people come for help, where medics and other NHS staff carry out a very difficult job, which should not be made worse or more traumatic by the type of behaviour that you subjected them to."

Jannetts was put under social work supervision for 12 months and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work within a year, as a direct alternative to custody.

The sheriff told him: "You have caused a disturbance to the community, and made more challenging the job of our public servants, and you can pay back to the community."