'Idiot' Sunderland patient assaulted police officer in hospital following bike crash

South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard Daniel Lamb, 33, of Durham Road, Plains Farm, lashed out and swore in a public area after being taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital on August 17.

After Lamb admitted charges of failing to provide a specimen for analysis and assaulting a police officer, the chair of the bench, John Lee, told him: “Not a very pleasant episode. People go to hospital because they’re wounded, sick or stressed.

“The last thing they need to see is an idiot like you kicking off. Who knows why you were in the state that you were in?”

Prosecutor Glenda Beck said emergency services were called to Easington Street after Lamb fell from his “mechanically propelled bike”.

She added: “It was clear that he was intoxicated and he was arrested and taken to Sunderland Royal Hospital.

“He had cuts to his face and the top of his head that required treatment.

“He was again showing signs of intoxication and shouting profanities loudly. There was an onslaught of verbal abuse towards the officers.

“He was told several times to stop shouting and show respect to other people on the ward, but he continued with his behaviour.”

Mrs Beck continued: “He was guided back to a sofa but used his right foot in stomping motion to assault an officer.

“He hit the officer’s left knee while he was standing, causing pain. He was required to provide a sample of blood due to showing intoxication.

“He was asked a number of times but ignored the request.”

Chris Wilson, defending, said: “There is a discrepancy. One officer details that it was a kick, the other as a stamp.

“It’s also unclear if it was a shod or unshod foot. What we can be sure of is that there was an assault.

“He has no previous convictions in respect of violence or assault. He had been fishing and had drunk, but he can’t remember what he had.

“He believes that his drinks may have been spiked by a person unknown.”

Magistrates banned Lamb from driving for three years under the two-strikes-in-10-years rule.

They also order him to pay a £320 fine, £128 victim surcharge, £85 costs and £25 compensation to the officer.