Man jailed for exposing himself at Belfast A&E

A man who exposed himself and made lewd comments towards staff at a Belfast hospital has been jailed for six months.

Raymond Bateson, of Glenhill Court in the city, also punched, kicked and spat on security guards.

A judge described the 35-year-old's behaviour as "beyond disgraceful" and put him on the sex offenders' register for five years.

He was convicted of exposure, three common assaults and criminal damage to a watch belonging to one of the victims.

The incident happened at the Mater Hospital's Accident and Emergency Department on 10 August.

Belfast Magistrates' Court heard that Bateson attacked members of security and police arrived as he was being physically restrained on the footpath outside the building.

Before police arrived, Bateson had been "deliberately exposing his genitals to staff and shouting things of a sexual and threatening nature", a prosecution lawyer said.

He also punched and kicked some security staff, as well as spitting in the face of another member of the team.

One of the victims had his watch broken, with an estimated repair cost of £100.

Based on his client's previous clear record, a defence barrister described the incident as "bizarre".

"It's serious and deplorable behaviour," he said.

"He says himself that it was absolutely terrible, he is disgusted, embarrassed, ashamed… and totally remorseful."

The judge expressed doubts over the sincerity of regret.

As the incident was being recounted, she had asked Bateson if he found it funny and told him to remain quiet in the dock.

She told Bateson: "You came here to court today and laughed when it was read out by the prosecution that one of their watches was broken by you."

Sentencing him to six months in custody, she added: "These are individuals who are trying to serve all of us in the community and you decided to go in there, assault them, spit in one of their faces and make those comments."