A DRUG addict who spat in the face of an ambulance worker who was trying to help him has been jailed for four months.

James Roach, of Lickhill Road, Stourport-on-Severn, appeared before Worcester Magistrates Court for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to assault at an earlier hearing.

Louise Mead, prosecuting, said an ambulance crew was called to Stourport at 9pm on April 8 following reports of an intoxicated man.

On arrival, they found Roach, who told them he had taken a cocktail of heroin and alcohol.

The staff decided to take him to Worcestershire Royal Hospital because of his low response levels, but the 32-year-old then became angry, kicking the ambulance and shouting obscenities.

The driver stopped in a layby on the A449 and an emergency button was pressed for assistance.

Roach continued to swear and kick out and, due to his demeanor, the staff left the vehicle and shut the doors.

He was then seen opening cupboards and searching the sharps bin before he spat in the face of one of the ambulance crew through an open window.

Gregory Burke, defending, said his client had recently been released from a four-month custodial sentence and went out to “drown his sorrows”.

He had been on a mixture of medication, including antibiotics and methadone, as well as drinking alcohol and that cocktail meant his recollection of the incident was vague, but he accepted full responsibility.

Mr Burke said his client was now living with his parents. He was engaging “sporadically” with drug workers and would be in favour of assistance from the probation service.

Sentencing, district judge Bruce Morgan said: “When I first started in law the thought of this happening to any ambulance worker was simply unknown.

“Nowadays, these cases are rife. To assault this lady in the disgusting way you did when all she was trying to do was to help you after you took a cocktail of drugs and alcohol is appalling.

“You have committed 120 previous offences and breached community sentences. I have to protect people who do worthwhile work for the community.”

In addition to spending four months in custody, Roach was ordered to pay £150 compensation to the ambulance worker.