A NEWPORT man who attacked and hurled abuse at police officers and paramedics has been handed a prison sentence.

Danny Burnett, 58, of Wellesley Way, appeared before the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court last Tuesday.

He admitted three counts of common assault, one count of assault by beating, and one count each of using threatening words and causing a disturbance.

The court heard from prosecutor, Liz Miller, how on November 14, two ambulances had been called to a Newport address following reports of a man in distress.

Upon arrival, paramedics found Burnett laying on a sofa. When they tried to attend to him, he grabbed one by the arm, causing her pain and discomfort.

He proceeded to shout abuse at her, and kicked her colleague in the hip when they attempted to remove him from the address.

At the hospital, police had been called due to Burnett's unpredictable behaviour, and endured two hours of abuse, in which Burnett called one officer a paedophile.

Ms Miller said Burnett had shouted at NHS staff on being discharged, and assaulted another emergency worker when his tooth scraped along the victim's arm.

Later, at the police station, Burnett lunged at a police officer in a spitting motion.

Ms Miller said Burnett's victims were classed as emergency workers who had merely been doing their jobs, expecting to carry out their duties without being assaulted.

Henry Farley, defending, said Burnett had been in a very poor condition and could not remember any of the events.

He said Burnett, unemployed, had substantial mental health problems, taking as many as 50 pills a day.

He said while Burnett's mouth had come into contact with the emergency worker's arm, he had not bitten down or left puncture marks.

Mr Farley Burnett was remorseful and apologetic to all concerned for his behaviour.

Burnett, in breach of a 12-week suspended sentence issued in September, was sentenced to 14 weeks imprisonment.