A PIZZA shop worker got so drunk he needed hospital treatment then kicked a nurse who was treating him, a court heard yesterday.

Ahmed Fetehalla Abdul Ali said he had accidentally struck the staff nurse in the stomach as he was flailing about to try and turn away from the bed to be sick, Darlington Magistrates' Court was told.

The 20-year-old, who is a Palestinian asylum seeker who fled the Gaza Strip five years ago after claiming he had been tortured, does not regularly consume alcohol.

He became so intoxicated after consuming five pints and two measures of spirits in Darlington town centre, his friends took him to Darlington Memorial Hospital.

Ciaran Grogan, prosecuting, said: "He's initially quiet, but then begins spitting and balking, as if to be sick.

"He waves his arms and legs around and pulls off the blood pressure cuff. When staff try to reattach the cuff, he kicks out again. On this occasion, his kick makes contact with the nurse's abdominal area."

The nurse said she had pain and redness in the area afterwards, and had been upset and angered by the incident.

Mr Grogan said although the kick might have been accidental, it was a reckless act brought on because Ali had got himself drunk.

"The most serious feature is the fact that this is an act on a member of NHS staff whilst trying to assist a person who has wilfully put themselves in the position they are in, " he added.

The offence took place on June 14.

Charles Shirtcliffe, mitigating, said Ali had not intended to kick the nurse and was pleading guilty to common assault on the basis of reckless behaviour.

He said his client had needed to be sick and was simply trying to get into a position where he could vomit without choking.

"He is ashamed of what he did. He's apologised and he's very sorry, " added Mr Shirtcliffe.

Ali, of Bartlett Street, Darlington, was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the nurse, £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

He was given a 12-month conditional discharge.