A teenage dad who attacked a hospital doctor trying to treat him has been locked up for four months by a judge.

Manchester's District Judge Alan Berg described 18 year old Benjamin Smith's behaviour at Wythenshawe Hospital as "barbaric and horrendous".

He told Smith who has three children aged three, two and one: "I listened with increasing horror about your conduct"

"It is a sad reflection of the times when the medical profession is exposed to this vile aggression".

"The doctor was trying to help you and you behave like a wild animal and left him fearing for his safe being"

Smith, of Beaufort Road, Sale admitted assaulting Dr Matt Davies and a police officer and using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Prosecutor Kerry Bell said Smith was arrested for shouting and swearing on Palatine Road, Withington on February 18.

On the way to the station in a police van he became unresponsive and was taken to hospital. He had been drinking and using drugs.

While being examined he punched Dr Davies in the face and threatened to kill him before being restrained by staff.

He later tried to bite two police officers and spat at one of them hitting him in the face and chest.

The court heard Smith had severe learning difficulties and had been the victim of domestic violence at the hands of his partner.

Sending him into youth custody the Judge said "I am not unsympathetic to your problems but that doesn't entitle you to behave like you did"

A spokesman for the University Hospital of South Manchester said it was “pleased with the verdict given in this particularly serious case.

“The Trust has a zero tolerance policy to aggression, violence and verbal abuse directed at its staff and will not tolerate any such behaviour.

“We will always pursue a prosecution in a case where a patient or member of the public has acted violently or aggressively towards our staff. “