Drunk father abused A&E staff at Telford's Princess Royal Hospital

Former lorry driver Robert Upton, aged 50, was taken by ambulance to the Princess Royal Hospital from his home in Villa Court in Madeley, Telford, on Christmas Eve.

His wife called the emergency services at about 8pm saying he had come home drunk and she was concerned about him.

Upton was upset because his children did not want to see him, Telford Magistrates Court was told. Mr Adam Warner, prosecuting, said: "The ambulance staff and the police put him in the ambulance to check him over. While in the vehicle he swore at the staff . He also called the police officer various names and had to be restrained when he started to bang his head against the side of the van.

"When they got to the hospital he continued to be abusive and was shouting and swearing.

"He kicked at a urine bottle and had to be restrained. He was eventually discharged and taken to the police station. He has previous convictions and booze has been a feature," said Mr Warner.

Upton admitted being drunk and disorderly, breaching a conditional discharge and breaching a suspended sentence for a similar offence in September, 2016.

Mr Shakeel Ahmed, for Upton, said: "Alcohol got the better of him and there was a period when he greatly reduced the amount he drinks.

"The trigger for the latest offence was when he tried to contact his adult children through his ex-wife and was told that they didn't want to see him. He was saying he felt suicidal and his current partner called the police."

Upton was fined £50 for being drunk and disorderly at the hospital. He must also attend six additional rehabilitation sessions to address his alcohol issues after breaching his suspended sentence, as well as pay £30 for breaching his conditional discharge.

He was further ordered to pay £135 costs and a £35 victims' surcharge.