A BOOZED-up lout lashed out at hospital medics with a bloodstained t-shirt as they tried to treat him for a cut to his face.

Matthew Findlay reacted angrily when the doctor and nurse woke him up after he'd dozed off at Inverclyde Royal.

The dad-of-one, 24, struggled violently as he continued to make a drunken fool of himself within A&E on April 1.

Prosecutor Colin West told Greenock Sheriff Court: "The hospital was busy with other members of the public at the time.

"An attempt was made to usher the accused outside.

"He pushed the staff repeatedly, took off his bloodstained t-shirt, causing blood to land on the floor and walls and struck both members of staff with it."

The court heard how Findlay appeared to be 'heavily intoxicated' on arrival at the hospital via an ambulance at around 1.30pm.

Fiscal depute Mr West said: "At 4.15pm he fell asleep on a wheelchair and was moved back to A&E for a further assessment.

"Two male members of staff took hold of his arms to prevent the accused from falling but he began to struggle violently with them.

"He later wasn't cautioned and charged at Greenock police office due to his aggressive and intoxicated state."

Findlay pleaded guilty to assaulting, obstructing or hindering the staff members by repeatedly pushing them and striking them with his bloodstained top.

His not guilty plea to an allegation of threatening and abusive behaviour, shouting, swearing, acting aggressively and making threats of violence was accepted by the Crown.

Defence lawyer Ellen Macdonald said: "It is fair to say that this was not Mr Findlay's finest hour and he is deeply ashamed of his conduct."

Ms Macdonald submitted a letter of apology to the court that her client had written to the hospital staff involved.

She said: "He is 24 and in a relationship which he describes as positive, and he has a young child."

Sheriff Andrew McIntyre ordered Findlay, whose address was not given in court, to pay the medics a total of £600 in compensation.