A TEENAGER who had cut his own arm lashed and kicked out as police officers tried to restrain him in the hospital where he was being treated, a court was told.

Martin Charlotte had been taken to Hartlepool General Hospital after being arrested at a house in Woods Terrace, Murton, County Durham, in March.

Officers noticed that he was looking under the curtains of the cubicle as though he was going to try to escape.

When they pulled back the curtain Charlotte became abusive and started lashing out at them.

Yesterday, Charlotte, 18, of no fixed address but formerly of Murton, appeared before Teesside Crown Court and admitted affray.

Judge John Walford sentenced him to 15 months in a young offenders' institution.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said Charlotte thrashed about in the hospital and the police officers ended up on the floor. Two security guards tried to restrain Charlotte until further police officers arrived.

Amanda Perry, for Charlotte, said he had been celebrating a friend's birthday where they had all been drinking. But he discovered that a former girlfriend was starting a relationship with one of his friends, which upset him.

He went to a bedroom, took a knife and attempted to cut his wrists. He succeeded in harming himself, said Miss Perry.

Charlotte was a young man with a troubled history and upbringing, she said.