A HUDDERSFIELD man has been jailed for assaulting two women medical staff at the Royal Infirmary.

Martin Clavin was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison by Huddersfield magistrates yesterday.

He had pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assaulting care support worker Valerie Sharp and Sister Carol Whiteley last August 23.

Clavin, 24, of Holme Park Court, Berry Brow, had gone to the hospital’s A&E department at 4.30am with his girlfriend, Katie Craven, who was six weeks pregnant.

She had complained of stomach pains and was being seen in a cubicle by the two nurses and was struggling with them.

Two police officers then went in the cubicle.

Prosecutor Richard Ogden said Miss Craven was kicking out and screaming at the officers.

The officers had restrained her on the floor when Clavin burst in to the cubicle and shouted at them to get off her.

The nurses and officers were trying to clear the cubicle and calm the situation, said Mr Ogden.

Ms Sharp said Clavin was pushing against Ms Whiteley, trying to force his way through to get to Miss Craven.

He pushed Ms Whiteley her by her shoulders and she fell backwards, breaking her fall on a chair.

He then hit out at Ms Sharp, catching the left side of her jaw with his fist or elbow.

Clavin then ran from the cubicle and into the ladies’ toilets, where he locked the door and escaped through a window.

Miss Craven had already slipped out of the cubicle. The pair were spotted with a young child and another man in a red Fiat Punto on Lockwood Road. Police followed the car and caught Clavin as they were leaving the car at his home.

He was arrested after an altercation with the police.

In mitigation, Clavin’s solicitor, Charles Ainley, said his client was worried about how his girlfriend – who is now due to give birth in October – would cope if he was sent to jail.

He is the main breadwinner and works seven days a week.

He added that Clavin was disgusted with himself for what he had done.

Mr Ainley went on: “He is shocked and he said to me: ‘I am disgraced with myself and accept it was completely out of order. I should not have behaved that way. I saw her being pinned down and I reacted.”

Magistrate David Longstaff told Clavin he would serve half his sentence before being let out on licence.

“The offence is so serious that the only suitable punishment is to send you to custody.

“You assaulted two vulnerable people serving the public in a hospital,” Mr Longstaff added.

Diane Whittingham, chief executive of Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust, said they were pleased with the court’s decision.

“This sentence should send a strong message to all people who visit any of our hospitals at any time that violence or aggression will not be tolerated.

“Our staff should be able to care for people without feeling threatened or intimidated.”