A MAN accused of assault at Queen Margaret Hospital shocked a sheriff by insisting he was going to get Prime Minister Theresa May to intervene.

Lee Sutherland was about to go on trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court when he started shouting at the sheriff.

As he was led away, Sutherland, who was representing himself, shouted, “This is abuse. I’m going to get Theresa May involved in this.”

When he was being taken back to the cells Sutherland appeared to spit from the stairs.

A new date was set for the trial and Sutherland, 27, of Dunlin Avenue, Glenrothes, but currently in jail for another offence, was given a 10-week prison sentence for contempt of court by Sheriff James MacDonald.

Sutherland has denied offences alleged to have occurred on January 8 last year at Queen Margaret Hospital, Dunfermline.

He is accused of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting, swearing and struggling violently with staff.

He is also accused of assaulting Anthony Boyle, in the course of his employment, by throwing hot liquid at him which struck him on the face to his injury.

Sheriff MacDonald found him guilty of contempt of court.

Sutherland initially became upset by the absence of a jury and was told it was a sheriff-only summary trial.

The trial is now scheduled to take place on February 28.