South Shields man jailed for splashing hospital guard with blood

Jamie Lee damaged a window and cut his hand when he wasn't given the treatment he wanted from nursing staff when he turned up at South Tyneside District Hospital in the early hours of June 30.

When security staff were called to deal with the 26-year-old - who is hepatitis C positive - flicked his blood, which was pouring from his fresh glass wound, around the care centre - and into the face of one of the guards.

Just weeks later, Lee spat into the face of an officer while he was being held in a cell at South Shields police station.

Lee had been arrested on August 22 after turning up at Street Level treatment centre in the town and demanding methadone, which the service was unable to provide him with.

As a result of the two sickening attacks, the security guard and the police officer face months of waiting to find out if they have contracted any infection.

Lee, of Marsden Road, South Shields, admitted two charges of attempted assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Judge Sarah Mallett sentenced him to 18 months behind bars.

The judge told him: "These offences were directed against people whose jobs mean they sometimes have to place themselves in risky situations to perform their duties.

"There is a big gulf between the harm you could have caused and what we hope is the limited harm you did in fact cause.

"The security guard and the police officer, both knowing of your infection, are waiting many, many months to find out whether or not they are indeed in the clear.

"That is a worry and cause of stress to them.

"Hopefully, in due course, they will receive good news."

Lee wrote a letter to the court outlining the remorse he now feels for what he did.

The court heard he has support and an offer of work for when he is released.