The court heard that Gibson had a personality disorder

Donald Gibson, 37, who requires kidney dialysis three times a week to live, admitted kicking David Walker and throwing water over him on 4 April.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard that the Asbo was served against Gibson after a number of previous incidents.

Gibson, from Edinburgh, was granted bail and will be sentenced on 1 June.

The court heard how the unruly behaviour of Gibson, who has a string of previous convictions, including rape, had caused problems at the hospital in the past.

He assaulted the nurse in question quite deliberately because he was under such pressure in life he felt he required custody Nigel Beaumont Defence agent

Before appearing in court on Thursday, Gibson was brought from prison and taken to an �18,000 isolation ward for treatment.

Defence agent Nigel Beaumont said that Gibson, who has an emergency care address at Springfield Gardens, assaulted Mr Walker in a bid to be taken into police custody for his own safety.

"He has suffered a great deal of stress from media coverage concerning his treatment in hospital," Mr Beaumont said.

"He assaulted the nurse in question quite deliberately because he was under such pressure in life he felt he required custody."

Limited intelligence

However Mr Beaumont said his condition grew worse while in prison.

He added that Gibson, who is unmarried with has no job history, had received the anti-social behaviour order because he had a difficult relationship with one female nurse in particular.

He said the kidney patient, who suffers from a personality disorder, had one other court matter pending which involved the allegation of comments made to a staff member.

Sheriff Graeme Warner released Gibson on bail to return for his deferred sentence after he promised to behave while in hospital.

Mr Beaumont said Gibson was "very vulnerable and of limited intelligence" and urged the sheriff to call for background reports, including a psychiatric report.

He added that Gibson needed social work support.