AN A&E patient who shouted racist comments at an Iraqi family, an Asian doctor and a Scottish policeman has been jailed for three months.

George Winter, aged 59, of Canada Way, Lower Wick, Worcester, was told his behaviour would not be tolerated by Deputy District Judge Bruce Morgan.

The court heard Winter was suffering from a fractured ankle and drunk when he made comments like "go back to your own country" after his work Christmas party on December 22 last year.

Sentencing him Judge Morgan said: "This court doesn't tolerate those who are totally offensive to others simply becasue of their nationality or colour of their skin.

"There was a time when patients were nervous and frightened about being in hospital and you could hear a pin drop - but now people are abusive like you.

"I'm not going to tolerate people going into hospital and racially abusing people who are there."

As he was led to the cells his wife, sat at the back of the court, shouted: "You have got to be joking."

Mark Soper, prosecuting, said Winter, 59, was huffing and puffing' when he entered Worcestershire Royal Hospital's A&E department.

"He said to a member of staff you don't look thick but you must be if you are happy to treat them'.

"He was referring to a group of Iraqi people in the department coming to terms with the fact one of their relatives had just died in a car crash and another had died in resuscitation.

"When an Asian doctor came to see him he said get back to your own country' and foreigners are taking over the country'.

"Then when a Scottish PC approached he was told to go back to Scotland you little Hitler'.

"His behaviour continued in the police vehicle on the way to the station."

Andrew Childs, defending Winter, said: "My client has angina and doesn't go out a lot, but it was his work do and alcohol was freely available. He fractured his ankle on the way home and was taken to A&E in an ambulance.

"He's very ashamed and remorseful and dearly regrets what he said.

"On being released from the station he went back to hospital and apologised to staff."

For his wife's reaction see Friday's Worcester News.

Speaking after her husband's sentencing, his wife Sally said it was "unbelievable". "With the state of the prisons being so full at the moment we just can't believe he has been sent down over one small thing. "He was so sorry for it and apologised. He was in a lot of pain at the time as he had broken his ankle in two places." She said that her husband, who has been diagnosed with depression, told his solicitor in the cells that this was the end of his life'. "This will kill him," added Mrs Winter.