A man from Armagh has been sentenced to four months in prison for assaulting a police officer who was accompanying him to hospital.

Jamie Starkey, 31, of Abbey Park, Armagh, appeared before Craigavon Magistrates Court on Friday via video link from Maghaberry Prison.

The court heard that police had taken Starkey to Craigavon Area Hospital on 24 May. After being removed from the hospital, he was placed in a police cell van, where he kicked one constable in the upper thigh.

District Judge Michael Ranaghan noted that Starkey also attempted to headbutt another officer, though the attempt missed.

The defence barrister said Starkey faced considerable personal difficulties, including mental health issues and problems with drugs and alcohol, and argued the offending was at the lower end of the scale.

Judge Ranaghan pointed to Starkey's record of 25 previous assaults on police, stating the defendant had no respect for officers.

Starkey was sentenced to four months in jail for each charge, to run concurrently, and was ordered to pay a £25 offender levy.