A MAN punched a police officer after causing a disturbance in the waiting room at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, a court was told.

Paul Baker, aged 42, admitted assaulting a constable and using threatening and abusive racially aggravated language when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Karen Cockitt, prosecuting, told magistrates that on October 4 this year, Baker was in reception at the hospital, in Worcester, shouting and demanding to be seen.

His behaviour came to the attention of PC Michael Derbyshire, who was at the hospital waiting to take another person into custody.

Baker, of Swan Lane, Upton Warren, continued to shout and was warned about his language by the officer, Miss Cockitt said.

Baker then replied "don't tell me what to do", she said.

The officer left the scene but returned when Baker continued to shout and swear.

The court heard Baker was given a cup of water in an attempt to calm him down, but this failed and he continued to shout, so PC Derbyshire took him outside the hospital, telling him to go home as he was making a nuisance of himself.

Miss Cockitt said Baker then hit out, punching the side of the officer's head and causing reddening just above his ear. He was then arrested.

Defending, Mahan Manu said Baker was extremely remorseful and appalled at his behaviour on the day.

Mr Manu said Baker had felt unwell, before arriving at the hospital by ambulance at 8.30pm.

Mr Manu said the events of the incident had taken place at 2am the next morning and were been caused by the anguish of waiting a considerable amount of time to be seen.

Mr Manu added it was an isolated incident, had not been premeditated, and said Baker was usually a caring individual.

Magistrates handed Baker a community order of 12 months, and a four-week electronically monitored curfew, which means he cannot leave his home between 8pm and 6am.

Baker was also fined £200 and ordered to pay compensation of £50, a victim surcharge of £85, and court costs of £135.