A drunken 19-year-old who punched a nurse three times after being found unconscious in a Rugeley park was given three months detention.

James Morrison was jailed by Cannock magistrates yesterday.

Morrison, of Byron Place, Rugeley, was taken to Stafford Hospital on May 27 after being found drunk and unconscious.

He had fallen into a drunken stupor after downing four litres of cider.

Prosecutor Mrs Charlotte Ridout said nursing staff at the hospital were attempting to help him when the assault took place.

Because of his condition Morrison had fallen off the hospital bed and had been placed in a wheelchair to restrain him. While he was in a semi-conscious state, magistrates were told, he hit out, punching a nurse three separate times.

Morrison had pleaded guilty on June 19 to assault by beating. That hearing was adjourned for a pre-sentence report to be compiled by the Probation Service.

Defending, Mr Mark Holder, urged magistrates to go along with the report’s recommendation of a supervision order and said his client could not remember the assault.

Mr Holder said: “There are underlying mental health issues with Mr Morrison and although he accepts that he must have done it, due to the alcohol he cannot recollect the events that night.”

He said that although the nurse was shocked at what had happened the punches did not cause any serious injuries and she did not suffer bruising.