AN Isle of Wight man punched a neighbour in the face and attacked paramedics who went to his aid after he collapsed unconscious, drunk.

Jonathan Andrew Nash, of Westcourt Close, Shorwell, admitted assaulting a woman by beating, at his address, on April 2.

Nash also admitted two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, namely female police officers, by beating, and a further identical charge, involving a student paramedic, at the Isle of Wight Magistrates' Court.

Nash's neighbour went to his home, concerned for his welfare, and they drank together, said Liz Miller, prosecuting.

An ambulance was called after Nash blacked out.

The 58-year-old remained unconscious when paramedics arrived, but when Nash was roused, he was abusive and tried to punch one of them, but missed.

During the fracas, the neighbour tried to intervene, but was punched twice to the face. 

Nash then struck a paramedic's forearm.

Paramedics restrained Nash to complete their observations, then left, as the police arrived, with Nash "extremely drunk"  bombarded officers with abuse and, during his arrest for assault, grabbed one by the wrist and the other by his body-worn armour, wrist and radio.

Fearing further violence, officers incapacitated him using PAVA spray.

Nash was already subject to a 12 month probation order, including six months' alcohol treatment, for sending menacing messages.

For Nash, Michael McGoldrick said: "As unpleasant as he was, for the past nine years, since his wife died, he has struggled with alcohol and suffers with depression, anxiety, loneliness and a broken hip.

"He battled with alcohol, but drank a bottle of vodka that day.

"Regarding the paramedics, he wanted to be left alone and "lashed out" in protest.

"What happened was a turning point. He's lost friends, property, his job and, if he continues like this, he'll lose his liberty — or his life, by using alcohol in the manner he has."

Mr McGoldrick said Nash was sorry and told the bench: "If it wasn't for my support worker, I'd be dead now. I'm not going down that road again."

Nash was handed 18 months' probation and ordered to pay each emergency worker £50 compensation.