Patient head butts officer in hospital

But instead of allowing medical staff at Forth Valley Royal Hospital to treat his injury, his abusive behaviour led to the police being called and him headbutting one of the officers.

At Falkirk Sheriff Court last Thursday the 26-year-old was warned he was lucky not to be going to jail for the assault on January 24.

Sheriff Craig Caldwell said: “Offences like this can easily result in a custodial sentence, however I’m persuaded the remorse you have shown is genuine.”

As a direct alternative to prison, Johnstone was placed on an 18-month community payback order and told to complete 180 hours’ unpaid work in six months. He will also attend alcohol counselling.