A MAN has been jailed for attacking a police officer trying to deal with him at a Belfast hospital.
Gareth Luney received a three-month sentence for an outburst where he also swallowed a quantity of cannabis.
District Judge Eamonn King told the 26-year-old there will be zero tolerance of misbehaviour in "places of sanctuary".
Luney, of Blackthorn Rise in Larne, Co Antrim, was convicted of assault on police, possession of Class B drugs and two counts of common assault.
He appeared before Belfast Magistrates' Court in connection with separate incidents at the Royal Victoria Hospital in June and July this year.
On one occasion he was said to have turned up, behaved aggressively and then jumped from a 30ft wall.
On a second occasion he was said to have become agitated when staff would not let him take his son, who was being treated in a children's ward, out for his birthday.
During a struggle with a policeman called to the scene he kicked out at the officer.
Although a quantity of cannabis was discovered on Luney, he then put it in his mouth and swallowed.
Defence solicitor Denis Moloney said his client had apologised for his "outrageous" actions.
Judge King imposed a three-month jail term but granted the defendant bail pending an appeal against the sentence.
