A MAN brought to hospital after he had gone missing headbutted a police officer in the chest.

Lee Wayne Cumberbatch, 24, targeted the officer after he had been taken to Furness General Hospital in a deliberate attempt to be arrested, a court heard.

The defendant, of Nelson Street in Dalton, admitted assault on an emergency worker when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates' Court.

The court was told the offence happened on the night of February 9 after Cumberbatch's family had alerted police that he had gone missing.

He was later found in an 'intoxicated' state at a friend's house in Ulverston.

The victim, PC William Speers-Heywood had attended the hospital alongside paramedics.

Prosecutor George Shelley said the incident happened just after 11pm.

"The defendant had been reported missing by family members and was found at an address in Ulverston," he said.

"He appeared to be intoxicated through drink or drugs.

"He was transported to A&E at Furness General Hospital and whilst in the resus room he has become abusive to the police officer saying 'I will headbutt you mate'.

"He then headbutted the officer in the left side of his chest causing no injury and was arrested."

In mitigation, Michael Graham said Cumberbatch had mental health problems and had wanted to avoid being sectioned or taken for mental health treatment at the hospital.

He said: "The last place he wanted to be was the hospital and he decided in his mind that if he hit the officer he would be arrested and taken to the police station.

"He had a view that that would result in his detention and removal from the hospital and that's what happened.

"A nurse at the station decided he should be sectioned.The reason for offence was to avoid being sectioned."

Magistrates sentenced Cumberbatch to a 6pm to 6am curfew for 12 weeks.

Chairman Charles Crewdson said: "Police officers come to work and they don't expect to be attacked or abused or shouted at - it's not fair."