Paramedics were repeatedly abused by a 57-year-old Inverness man who called them to his house several times.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that on two occasions, Keith Henderson got a knife as he swore at the emergency personnel and police officers on February 20 and 28 last year.
Just days before on February 9, police had arrested Henderson after he behaved in an abusive or threatening manner and made inappropriate gestures to reception and security staff at Raigmore Hospital’s A&E.
Assaults on emergency service workers in Scotland hits three-year high
He then kicked a glass panel in the hospital.
Fiscal depute Ross Carvel said that on June 20, Henderson again called an ambulance to his home and police accompanied the crew because of the previous incidents.
“He swore at the paramedics, sounded a panic alarm before picking up a kitchen knife and tried to push it into his stomach.”
Mr Carvel said that officers had to use incapacitant spray twice before he could be disarmed.
On each occasion, Henderson had become aggressive because his demands to be taken to New Craigs psychiatric hospital were not met.
Henderson admitted obstructing and hindering emergency personnel in the course of their duty, behaving in an abusive or threatening manner, malicious damage and failing to appear for a court hearing earlier this year.
Defence solicitor Aileen Macinnes said her client had genuine mental and physical conditions, aggravated by his alcohol misuse.
“He has also been diagnosed with a schizoid type disorder.” she went on.
Jailing him for six months, Sheriff David Sutherland told Henderson: “These offences have a common theme and they start with you consuming excessive alcohol.
“You have abused the emergency services and put other people at risk. Only a custodial sentence is appropriate.”
