A MAN drunk after a night out spat in a paramedic’s mouth because she disagreed that he was having an asthma attack.

Fearnhead resident James Hutt was at McDonald’s on Winwick Road when he complained of difficulties and staff called an ambulance.

Warrington Magistrates Court heard on Monday that when paramedic Nicola Jones arrived to treat Hutt she found that he was breathing and talking normally.

But when the victim told the defendant he could not have an inhaler and offered a doctor’s appointment the next day, he became angry.

Prosecuting, Anouska Youds described how the 23-year-old spat at the ambulance worker twice, once on her right shoulder and then in her mouth.

“She contacted the police and he walked away when he heard sirens,” said Mrs Youds.

“He told police he just wanted an inhaler. He said he was drunk and frustrated.

“He said he did spit at her twice, that he doesn’t know when to stop, that he always gets into trouble when drinking.”

The court heard that Hutt, who has two previous convictions including assault of a police officer, was apologetic following the incident.

He maintained he was having an asthma attack that was serious enough for McDonald employees to call for help.

Hutt, of Rowland Close, pleaded guilty to assault. Magistrates adjourned proceedings for reports to be done. He will be sentenced on Tuesday.

Following the court case a union official for the North West Ambulance Service said such incidents were on the up.

Dave Robb, convener for Unison Merseyside and Cheshire, said: “It’s becoming a common trend.

“She was going to treat a member of the public and should have been treated accordingly.

“It’s not going to be tolerated or accepted in our environment but it’s going to be a long battle.

“Unfortunately the respect of people doing a professional job has gone and that’s our society today.”