A rowdy hospital patient has been jailed after spitting in the face of a female police officer.
Steven Kenny had been arrested earlier, but officers realised he needed medical treatment following a seizure.
Kenny, 35, a prisoner, appeared at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
He admitted threatening or abusive behaviour and assaulting the female PC at Wishaw General on August 27.
Kenny also admitted spitting in another woman's face in Westerton Avenue, Larkhall, on the same day.
He had accused her of stealing cash and bank cards from his wheelchair-bound brother-in-law.
Later he went to her home and started shouting through the letterbox at her.
Jennifer Cunningham, prosecuting, told the court: "Kenny spat through the letterbox and this landed on [the woman's] face.
"He was arrested and shouted abuse and threats at police officers. He said he hoped they and their kids had a slow death.
"He was then taken to hospital after having a seizure. This appeared to be caused by him banging his head against the police vehicle.
"Kenny was calm in hospital but when he was woken at 2.30am for an x-ray he became abusive again.
"He told [the female] PC he would stab her. He lunged at the officers and was restrained.
"A spit hood was put on him, but he ripped it off and spat on [her] face and hand."
Defence agent David Kinloch conceded Kenny's behaviour in the hospital was "unacceptable".
His client has had "battles with addiction" over the years and on the night in question had taken cocaine.
Mr Kinloch added: "There was an argument with [the woman] over the return of his brother in law's money and bank cards.
"This didn't happen and he went to her home where a conversation took place through the letterbox.
"I understand that spittle also ended up in his face."
Sheriff Colin Dunipace jailed Kenny for two years, backdated to August 30 as he has been in custody since then.
The sheriff told him: "These are serious matters and you have an appalling record, including a number of crimes of violence."
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