A Lanarkshire drunk who spat in a paramedic's face after being found unconscious in the street has been jailed for a year.
Martin Cassidy was told that the courts must protect emergency workers, particularly during a pandemic.
Cassidy, of Bruce Terrace, Blantyre, was sentenced at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
The 37-year-old admitted trying to punch his victim and spitting on him repeatedly in Bruce Terrace on December 18, 2020.
Cassidy, who was on bail at the time, also admitted breaching a curfew.
Paul Jamieson, prosecuting, stated: "The accused was found unconscious on the street. He was heavily intoxicated.
"Paramedics tried to treat him and he lashed out. They identified themselves, but the accused turned to one of them and spat in his face several times.
"The police were called and officers escorted Cassidy to Hairmyres Hospital. When he regained consciousness he was conveyed to Motherwell police station."
Fortunately, the spitting victim did not display any COVID-19 symptoms and did not have to self-isolate.
Defence agent Andy Iles said dad-of-one Cassidy has "no memory whatsoever" of the incident.
The solicitor told the court: "He is a chronic alcoholic and has struggled with this since his early 20s.
"But in the last eight months he has, essentially, abstained. He has taken great strides forward."
Sheriff Colin Dunipace noted that Cassidy has previous convictions for offences involving emergency workers.
He told the accused: "I have a duty to protect emergency workers especially at a time like this when the vaccination programme had not commenced.
"It must have been an extremely frightening experience for the paramedic.
"People whose job involves trying to help others must be protected."
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