HOSPITAL staff were forced to evacuate A&E after a man spat blood at patients and assaulted nurses, a court heard.

Christian Liles flicked and spat his blood in patients and staff’s faces after he was told to stop laying on the floor.

The 34-year-old was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on February 9 after pleading guilting to five counts of assault by beating and three counts of assaulting an emergency worker.

On November 9, 2023, Liles took himself to Royal Bournemouth Hospital A&E department for help with mental health problems but soon started attacking fellow patients.

Bournemouth Echo: The Royal Bournemouth Hospital emergency department

Prosecuting, Matthew Mortimer, told the court that at 10.50pm a member of staff asked the defendant to get off the floor when he angrily grabbed the nurse’s hand.

CCTV footage shows the nurse escape through double doors before Liles began his rampage.

The defendant punched waiting room chairs and threw them across the room when he was told security had been called.

Liles then pushed a 78-year-old car crash victim to the floor who was waiting in A&E with his wife.

A nurse was pushed in the face twice when she tried to stand in-between Liles and patients, leaving her with temporary hearing loss.

The defendant headbutted a window and smeared blood off his head so that he could flick it at staff and members of the public.

More nurses emerged to evacuate patients and ‘wrangle a fire extinguisher’ from him which he had brandished to threaten people with.

The security guard arrived and tried to reason with the defendant but was slapped in the face.

Liles grabbed a patient by the throat before staff were able to force him outside and detain him.

The defendant told police he could not remember the incident that someone must have been ‘pretending to be him’ but if it was him then he was sorry.

In mitigation Ruba Huleihel told the court that while in custody Liles put water from the toilet into his eyes because ‘he thought it would bless his eyes’.

She added that although he has no diagnosed mental health conditions, ‘it is obvious there is something wrong here’.

The court heard that the defendant was trying to complete a degree in forensic psychology but had recently been sectioned under the Mental Health Act, for the third time.

His Honour Judge William Mousley KC said: “You are a risk to the public and only immediate imprisonment is adequate punishment.”

Liles, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to 12 months in prison.

Police constable David Carmichael, of Bournemouth police and officer in this case, said: “This was a nasty incident that would have been extremely frightening for everyone involved, including staff members and patients waiting with their friends and family.

“The incident happened in a hospital, where everyone should be able to feel safe while awaiting treatment.

“Dorset Police does not tolerate violence of any nature and I am pleased that Liles has been brought to justice for his actions.”