A RANTING thug attacked a paramedic in hospital and wished he caught Aids.

Spencer Wellington was at the Princess Royal Hospital in Haywards Heath when he became abusive.

He was “frustrated” at how long it was taking to treat his girlfriend, a court heard.

During a tirade he told doctors and security staff they were “f****** s***”.

Wellington lunged towards a paramedic and landed one blow to the head during his foul-mouthed rant.

At Hove Crown Court Wellington was given a four-month suspended sentence because he has served a prison sentence for a similar crime which was committed after this offence.

The Argus:

David Jenkins, prosecuting, said the incident happened on February 28 at approximately 6.30pm.

It had happened while Wellington’s child was also in the hospital.

Paramedic Andrew Randall had arrived with a patient at A&E and saw Wellington walking out through a restricted area.

The ambulance crew member, who has 15 years of experience as a frontline NHS emergency worker, told Wellington if he was not happy he ought to leave.

The comment sparked a further explosion of rage from 40-year-old Wellington.

“I hope your wife dies a really horrible death,” he spouted, adding: “I hope you catch Aids.

“I will put you to sleep, how dare you talk to me that way.”

Wellington lunged towards Mr Randall, and threw punches towards him.

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The paramedic was struck in the head, but a security guard got between the pair.

Ria Banerjee, defending, said her client was “remorseful” about his actions.

She said: “He was frustrated, and acted on account of that frustration.

“But by no means does he seek to excuse his behaviour. He fully accepts he was in the wrong.”

Interrupting the hearing, Wellington, now of Amulet Close, Norfolk, claimed he had worked a long day as a roofer, and has now lost his job.

Judge Christine Laing QC said: “You are 40-years-old, you are not a child.

“This year made us realise what frontline workers have to deal with.

“They have put themselves in danger every day and from idiots like you.

The Argus:

“I don’t care if you were tired from a long day at work, don’t you think we all do that?

“Nothing justifies speaking to that man in the most disgraceful of terms.

“It was a sustained, deliberate assault, with security guards having to use all their strength to stop you getting at him.

“Thankfully no injury was caused.”

The judge told him she had to give him the benefit of the doubt over his previous prison sentence and work with probation on licence, but said: “I don’t think it has had the slightest effect on you.”

Wellington was ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work and 30 rehabilitation sessions.