A MAN who had taken a drug overdose attacked police officers and abused a doctor who was trying to help him.

Bolton Crown Court heard how paramedics were called to Christopher Sandland’s home at 12.30am on January 6.

“They found the defendant to be too intoxicated and to have capacity and required him to attend hospital to be assessed,” said Daniel Lister, prosecuting.

“The defendant was resistant and and aggressive and as consequence, police were required to attend.”

But Sandland’s behaviour did not improve after PCs Noblett and Barnes arrived.

Mr Lister said: “He resisted, he was violent and offered to fight PC Barnes. He was swinging his arms around at the officers and shouting at them.”

Sandland was handcuffed but flung himself to the ground as he was walked towards a police car.

“He continued to shout and swear and he kicked both officers to the leg,” said Mr Lister, who added that two more officers were called to the scene and Sandland was put into an ambulance.

But during the journey to the Royal Bolton Hospital 47-year-old Sandland hurled racially abusive comments at PC Noblett.

“That racial abuse continued all the way to the hospital - about a 10 minute journey,” said Mr Lister.

“His abuse was such that the staff at the hospital were moving patients away from where he was,” said Mr Lister.

Sandland also spat at another officer, PC Maddocks, hitting her tactical vest.

“As a consequence of that, he was placed in a mask,” said Mr Lister, who added that Sandland also directed abuse at Dr Tang, and refused to allow blood to be taken or observations made.

Sandland, of Somerset Road, Atherton, was arrested and subsequently pleaded guilty to three counts of assaulting an emergency work and two offences of racially aggravated harassment.

“He said he couldn’t remember what had happened but he was prepared to accept that if it was captured on body worn video then it was true,” said Mr Lister.

In victim statements the officers told the court of their distress at Sandland’s behaviour towards them.

“PC Barnes says he doesn’t expect to be treated like this when he is trying to help somebody,” said Mr Lister.

PC Noblett stated: “Incidents like this affect me greatly and I don’t expect to be racially abused. I dealt with the defendant with respect and this was the treatment I got in return.”

Martin Pizzey, defending, said that Sandland had stopped managing his medication for substance abuse at the time. “There is no excuse for the offences but he had no recollection at all,” he said.

Judge Timothy Stead deferred passing sentence until November 23 after hearing how Sandland is now engaging with services and stabilising his life.

“ “If I am satisfied that you have done what I expect, there may be a suspended sentence but you won’t lose your liberty,” he told him.