A SERIAL offender was sentenced by both Isle of Wight criminal courts on the same afternoon.

His crimes including a serious assault, possessing a Taser, drug dealing and being abusive to the public and police at the hospital.

Robert Burnett, of Godric Road, Newport, appeared before a judge at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Tuesday.

Almost immediately aftrwards, he was facing magistrates in the same building for other offences.

The jobless 38-year-old was sentenced for a string of offences this year and back in 2020.

At an earlier hearing Burnett admitted inflicting actual bodily harm and common assault at his father's address on February 5.

He also admitted in May offering to supply a psychoactive substance, likely to be consumed for its psychoactive effects, possessing a weapon for the discharge of a noxious liquid, gas, electrical incapacitation device and possessing cannabis.

The offences occurred between April 14 and November 15, 2020. 

On May 19, Burnett went before the judge on all matters, but sentencing was adjourned so more could be learnt about Burnett's progress on probation.

While on probation, Burnett successfully detoxed for drugs and addressed alcohol misuse.

For Burnett, Oscar Vincent said the 2020 offences were committed at a time when his client had an issue with substance misuse and alcohol.

The judge handed Burnett 26 weeks' jail, suspended for two years.

Burnett was arrested on November 14 that year on unrelated matters, with the drugs and Taser found on that occasion, said Ann Smout, prosecuting, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court. 

He told the police both items were for his own personal use.

Burnett also admitted using threatening and abusive words and behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, at St Mary's Hospital, Newport, on April 23.

The cannabis and Taser offences were handed to magistrates for disposal by the judge, alongside the public order offence.

Police escorted Burnett to St Mary's, following his arrest, as he appeared to be very unwell, said Mrs Smout.

While officers sat with him in the A&E waiting room, in which there were a number of members of the public, Burnett became abusive — shouting and swearing.

Officers told him to calm down, but he was telling officers and patients to shut up, with abusive.

For Burnett, Oscar Vincent said when the searches took place for the cannabis and Taser matter, the psyhcoactive drugs matter related to text messages, indicative of supply, discovered on his phone following an examination of it.

Regarding the February 5 offences, Burnett was so disgusted with himself and so remoresful about his actions, he immediately organised his own detox, which continues, added Mr Vincent.

"The alcohol use was reduced significantly, until his momentary relapse, which led to the public order offence in Newport in April," Mr Vincent explained.

"Since then, he has remained teetotal, bar one evening."

Magistrates fined Burnett £280 for the three offences, with an order to pay a £34 surcharge.