A MAN who punched an A&E nurse and urinated on the floor has avoided an immediate jail term.

Ciaran Harrison, of Frawley Avenue, Newton-le-Willows was given a suspended prison sentence at Liverpool, Knowsley and St Helens' Magistrates' Court.

Harrison, 19, indicated a guilty pleas to an assault on a woman A&E nurse at a hospital in Liverpool and to outraging public decency by urinating on the floor.

Harrison also pleaded guilty to causing damage to a blanket and bedding belonging to Royal Liverpool Hospital.

He committed the offences on August 7 this year.

The 19-year-old was given a 26-week jail sentence, suspended for two years for the assault on the nurse.

He was also given a concurrent 26-week sentence, also suspended for two years, for the public decency offence.

An eight-week concurrent sentence suspended for two years was passed for the criminal damage to the bedding.

A court sheet said Harrison's offences were committed "during the course of a two-day drink" binge and were further "aggravated by lewd and offensive behaviour within the hospital building".

It added he was spared an immediate jail term due to his "remorse, relative youth and lack of convictions".

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Harrison must also have treatment for alcohol dependency for six months.

He must comply with any instructions of a responsible officer to attend appointments or participate in rehabilitation activity as required by the officer for up to 20 days.

Harrison must also carry out unpaid work for 240 hours within the next 12 months and pay £300 in compensation.

His guilty pleas were taken into account upon sentencing.