Kilgore ran amok at Perth Royal Infirmary on two occasions

James Kilgore, a drug addict and alcoholic, fought and hurled equipment at doctors and nurses at Perth Royal Infirmary earlier this year.

Jailing him, Sheriff Derek Pyle said he wanted to send out the strongest possible message to violent patients.

NHS Tayside is introducing a new policy on disruptive patients with a complete ban as the ultimate sanction.

Kilgore, formerly of Dunsire Street, Kirkcaldy, but now living in Blyth, Northumberland, admitted twice running riot at the hospital.

He pleaded guilty to lashing out with his arms and legs and wilfully damaging equipment on 20 January and 2 March while being the subject of two bail orders.

You conducted yourself in this dreadful way, not once but twice, so a prison sentence is inevitable Sheriff Derek Pyle Perth Sheriff Court

He had been brought in drunk the first time after complaining of abdominal pain.

Fiscal depute Bruce Macrossan said: "He started lashing out with his arms and legs and forced medical staff to stand clear.

"His conduct was such that staff were unable to approach him and they just had to stand back out of harm's way.

"In the course of thrashing around he kicked out against the anaesthetic equipment on the wall and damaged a tube on the machine."

Kilgore was later arrested by the police and removed from the hospital without treatment.

'Addressing problems'

On the second occasion, he was admitted after an accidental drug overdose and became verbally and physically abusive.

Kilgore's defence said he had now moved away from the area and was taking steps to address his problems.

Sentencing Kilgore, the sheriff said: "You expect hospital staff to treat you and yet they have to suffer verbal and physical abuse while they do so.

"The court needs to send a message out that such conduct is not acceptable and that the court will offer dedicated medical staff its strongest available protection.

"You conducted yourself in this dreadful way, not once but twice, so a prison sentence is inevitable."

His sentence was welcomed by staff at the Royal Infirmary.

'Strong message'

One staff member, who asked not to be named, said: "If everyone was jailed for behaving like this the message might start to get through.

"We have to put up with all sorts of unruly and violent behaviour and I'm pleased the court's made it clear it won't be tolerated any more."

A spokesman for health service union Unison also welcomed the custodial sentence.

He said: "We welcome the strong message the sheriff is sending out about assaults on public service workers.

"It is time people recognise it is not part of a public service worker's job to take this kind of violence and abuse."

NHS Tayside will implement its new policy against violent and abusive patients within the next few weeks.