A man has been jailed for attacking a nurse.

Patrick Chandler punched the male nurse three times as hospital staff were treating him at Colchester General Hospital's accident and emergency unit.

A court heard how nurse Gary Mole has to wear a protective collar 24 hours a day and has still not returned to work ten months after the attack Chandler was told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge that hospital staff "deserved and could expect the protection of the courts".

The court heard hospital staff had brought 34-year-old Chandler back to life five times over the years, after he overdosed on drugs.

In a letter to the judge, he said he was "deeply ashamed" of what had happened.

Chandler was jailed for 12 months, after he admitted a charge of causing Mr Mole actual bodily harm.

Stephanie Farrimond, prosecuting, said Chandler was at the Ford Road dental practice, Clacton, on August 10 last year when he collapsed.

Paramedics took Chandler to Colchester General Hospital, where he was placed in a cubicle.

Miss Farrimond said at one point, Mr Mole and a doctor tried to wake Chandler and when he came round, he swore at the doctor.

Miss Farrimond described what happened next: "He looked at Mr Mole and said you're getting on my nerves' before he sat up on the bed and punched Mr Mole in the eye, jaw and shoulder.

"Fortunately, police were in the cubicle next door on another matter and they heard Mr Mole shout don't hit me', and they handcuffed and arrested the defendant."

Chandler, of Mendlesham Close, Clacton, told police later he had taken more Valium than his usual dose because of the dental treatment.

He said he could not remember hitting anyone.

Aisha Khan, mitigating, said Chandler's memory of what had happened that day was "vague because of the Valium".