An overdose patient turned violent towards two of the hospital A&E medical team who saved his life.

Magistrates at Carlisle's Rickergate courts complex heard how 31-year-old Tony Kendrick had to be resuscitated after he was rushed to the city's Cumberland Infirmary on July 28.

He had taken so-called “blue Valium”, a street drug so dangerous that a number of people were hospitalised and police were forced to issue a warning about it.

But when he came round, Kendrick became verbally abusive to one of the nurses looking after him, swearing at her, threatening her, and at one point lashing out and hitting her stomach.

He later fell asleep, and when he woke a few hours later he again verbally abused and threatened both the nurse and a doctor, pushing him.

In court, Kendrick, of Prescott Court, Longsowerby, admitted two common assaults by beating.

John Moran, prosecuting, said the defendant was admitted semi-conscious with a suspected drugs overdose.

"As soon as he woke up,” said the prosecutor, “he was verbally abusive."

Kendrick also repeatedly swore at the nurse.

As she stood by his bed, trying to stem the flow of blood from an artery in his arm, he flailed about with his arms and hit her in the abdomen.

He then fell asleep, waking again at 5pm.

Mr Moran said: “He was initially reasonably compliant. But when he was told he needed to be medically assessed before going home his behaviour deteriorated.

“He became verbally aggressive towards the [same]nurse and Dr Thomas Sams, telling him: 'You can't tell me what to do.'”

Kendrick then raised his hands towards the doctor's chest, who did what he could to keep the defendant at arms' length.

The outburst meant staff had to call police for a second time.

The doctor later said it was the first time in his career he had been scared for his safety and that of the nursing staff and patients and visitors.

He described Kendrick's behaviour as “disgraceful” and “violent”.

Anthony Wilson, for Kendrick, said his client accepted his behaviour was disgraceful and he felt sorry for this.

“He was clinically dead for a period of time,” said the lawyer, explaining that Kendrick could remember nothing of his violence, which was unintentional.

Kendrick himself wanted help with his drugs problem and had self-referred to a local drug treatment agency.

Magistrates imposed a six month drug rehabilitation order, and told Kendrick to pay £50 compensation to each of his victims.

He must also pay prosecution costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of the same amount.