A PATIENT attacked and abused hospital staff after he was made late for an appointment because the parking machines were not working.

Neil Sabaroche had an appointment to check for cancer but the car parking machines and barriers were out of order.

Instead a security guard was collecting money from people at Colchester General Hospital.

Sabaroche, 50, of Thomas Road, Clacton, arrived and was angry at the delay on February 29 this year and began taking it out on staff at the car park.

David Bryant, prosecuting at Colchester Magistrates’ Court yesterday, said: “At 1.20pm he became aware Sabaroche was shouting.”

A barrage of foul and abusive language followed.

Mr Bryant said: “Sabaroche got in his face.

“He was told to go away and pushed the victim in both shoulders.”

More foul language followed, witnessed by other security guards, and the defendant threatened to knock out the guards before he was restrained Mr Bryant told the court after Sabaroche was arrested he laughed at claims he had called the staff “jobsworths” and said “no wonder you only work in a car park”.

Sabaroche admitted one count of assault at court.

James O’Toole, mitigating, said: “The parking meters and barriers were broken.

“He panicked he was going to miss his appointment.

“There is genuine remorse for the comments.

“He apologises for his behaviour.”

District Judge Claire Pithie made Sabaroche subject to a curfew for six weeks from 8pm until 6am.

She said: “I understand it was a fraught time for you and you were frustrated in the car park.

“However it is not acceptable for you to be lose your temper with the poor guy who is only trying to do his job.

“I expect he was getting a lot of grief that day from the machines not working.

“This behaviour was not acceptable.”