A DUNFERMLINE man committed a string of offences against hospital staff when he was a patient.

John Jones assaulted a consultant, nurses and spat blood at a police officer.

Jones, 41, of Inchgarvie Crescent, but currently a prisoner, admitted five separate charges when he appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

On December 31, at Stratheden Park Hospital, Cupar, he assaulted a consultant psychiatrist, by kicking a hazard cone, causing it to strike him.

On March 3, at Queen Margaret Hospital, he assaulted a registered nurse, by lunging towards her and uttered threats of violence towards her by threatening to spit in her mouth.

In this incident, staff had become concerned about Jones’ behaviour and in particular about him rapping to music in the sitting room at 8.10am in the morning.

“They were concerned about him rapping to loud music and using inappropriate language,” said depute fiscal Azrah Yousaf.

When he was asked to turn the volume down, Jones said to the nurse: “I’ll smash your face and spit in your mouth.”

On April 15, at Queen Margaret Hospital, he made threats of violence towards another registered nurse.

When told he could not leave the ward, Jones began shouting, swearing and told the nurse he would “gouge his eyes out”, said the depute.

He then lunged at a different registered nurse, and attempted to punch her.

At the hospital the same day, he assaulted a female police constable by saying he had hepatitis C, that he had blood in his mouth and then repeatedly spat at her, striking her on the body.

Defence solicitor James Moncrieff said his client had been on a compulsory treatment order at the time of the offences.

Sheriff James MacDonald jailed Jones for six months, backdated to April 16 when he was remanded in custody.