A man who spat at and made sexual comments towards staff whilst at Craigavon Area Hospital has been jailed.
Henry Edward McGrath, of Aughnacloy Road near Banbridge, committed offences after 11pm on February 27 this year.
The 49-year-old pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer and causing criminal damage to flooring belonging to the Southern Health Trust and a police cell van.
A defence barrister said the defendant, who had a record, had spent a number of weeks in custody on remand.
A prosecutor said police were called to a report of a man spitting at staff at Craigavon Area Hospital.
He had also been spitting constantly on the floor and was “making sexual remarks towards female members of staff”.
The prosecutor said “no statements were forthcoming from any member of staff and they just wanted him removed”.
Police warned him about his behaviour and he was swinging his arms when removed.
He spat “all over” the inside of a cell van.
The court heard the assault on the police officer involved “spit landing on” his foot.
The defence barrister said it was accepted any incidents like this in hospitals cause concern.
He said the defendant had been “spitting blood” at a time when he was at the hospital for “medical reasons”.
The defendant wished to apologise for his “completely unacceptable” behaviour.
District Judge Michael Ranaghan said the spitting had been “disgusting”.
The defendant was given a four months prison term.
