A THUG who spat in his own hand and hurled it at a paramedic trying to treat him has pleaded guilty to assault.

Samuel Westall, 35, from Swanage, appeared at Weymouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday June 29.

He was handed a community order and as part of that is required to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months. He was also told to pay £100 to his victim

At around 6.30pm on Friday June 10 paramedics were called to Highcliffe Road in Swanage following reports of a collapsed drunk man who had possibly been involved in a fight.

A male paramedic attended and approached Westall who began acting aggressively toward him and would not allow the paramedic to treat an injury to his left eye.

Westall began yelling abuse at the paramedic and spat at him, which his victim managed to dodge.

Then he grabbed the medic's arm, spat into his own hand and threw the contents towards the victim which missed.

The paramedic called for police assistance and Westall was arrested a short time later.

Police Constable Kyle Hickman, of Swanage police, said: "Paramedics are there to help people and save lives. They should not be subjected to a torrent of abuse when trying to provide medical assistance to someone who is injured.

"Westall's behaviour was completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated."