A MAN left two porters injured after he made a drunken visit to a hospital.

Ryan O’Callaghan, 21, of Noble Croft, Aspatria, carried out the offence at the West Cumberland Hospital in Whitehaven.

On December 27 he made his way into the building and was asked to leave but a struggle ensued with the two members of staff.

O’Callaghan’s actions left one of the male porters with a fracture to his foot while the other suffered minor injuries to his face.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of assault during an appearance at Workington Magistrates Court.

O’Callaghan had previously pleaded not guilty and had intended to take the matter to trial but changed his plea when he appeared in court.

John Moran, prosecuting, said: “Both victims work as hospital porters at the West Cumberland Hospital. Mr O’Callaghan went in to check up on a friend and admits that he had been drinking. He was approached by two of the night porters, who asked him to leave.”

This then led to a struggle with the two men, which resulted in Mr O’Callaghan ending up on the ground.

“During the struggle he caused injuries to the two porters.”

Mr Moran also told the court that O’Callaghan had “several” previous convictions for being drunk and disorderly in public.

“Both of them were working at the time and did not deserve to be assaulted,” he added.

“He had been drinking and he was being disorderly to others.”

John Copper, defending O’Callaghan, said: “It was a guilty plea at a late opportunity and there are some reasons for that.”

He explained that O’Callaghan had needed to discuss the matter thoroughly with a lawyer, which he had not had the opportunity to do before.

“Sometimes you need a bit longer to sit down with your client to explain the case to them.”

Magistrates ordered O’Callaghan to pay £350 to his victims, which will be split between them.

They also gave him a 12-month community order – which will see him carry out 250 hours of unpaid work – and a six-week curfew.

He was also ordered to pay £200 in costs and a £60 victim surcharge.