A man who damaged barriers at a football stadium because their colours reminded him of the Nazi flag has been jailed.

Michael Folan, of Bradley Mills Lane, also attacked two members of hospital staff who were trying to help him.

Folan - who has 185 offences to his name - was jailed despite his solicitor’s claim that prison was not the best place for him.

The 63-year-old was sentenced today at Kirklees Magistrates’ Court.

He had pleaded guilty to two charges of criminal damage, assault, racially-aggravated assault and threatening behaviour.

Magistrates were told about an incident at the John Smith’s Stadium when Folan caused £1,000 worth of damage to two road barriers.

Andy Wills, prosecuting, said that the crime was observed on CCTV by a security guard working there on July 2.

He told magistrates: “He approached the barriers and, using both hands and bodily force, pulled them away.

“He took them to a wooded area and threw them in the river.”

Police were called and arrested Folan after a short pursuit.

Mr Wills said to magistrates: “He told them: “I saw red, white and black.

‘It reminded me of the Nazi flag, of what they did in the concentration camps’.

“He seemed to associate the colours with the flag and suggested they should have changed the colours.”

Magistrates also heard about the incident on May 4 when Folan attended Huddersfield Royal Infirmary complaining of a bad leg.

He became upset and was moved away from the ward to a cubicle when he threatened to hit a staff member over the head with a bottle.

Folan fell asleep on a trolley before walking up and kicking out at nurse Tracey Brierley.

He continued to act aggressively and staff had restrain him.

During the struggle expensive hospital equipment was knocked to the floor by Folan.

He kicked Ms Brierley, hurting her rib cage and hurled racist abuse at security guard Mohammed Amin before spitting in his face.

Folan also caused havoc during the Huddersfield Criterium cycle race through the town centre on July 4.

He was disruptive and refused to cooperate with staff working to enforce the road closures.

Mr Wills said: “He told them: ‘This is my f*****g place’.

“He was shouting obscenities, particularly towards uniformed staff, and traffic had to take evasive action not to hit him.”

One female member of the public described a struggle with Folan after he grabbed her umbrella.

Christina O’Connell, for Folan, said: “He’s a man with lots of issues.

“Prison is not the place for him.”

But magistrates, unimpressed at his attacks on public servants, jailed Folan for 18 weeks.