A VIOLENT drunk who attacked hospital staff trying to treat him walked free from court yesterday.

Anthony Griffiths, 32, was put on probation for 18 months to curb his drinking after pleading guilty to an affray which tool place in April.

But Judge Michael Taylor, at Teesside Crown Court, warned him: "Don't go out and have a celebration drink."

A female nurse at North Tees General Hospital, Stockton, had been trying to take Griffiths' blood pressure when he went to assault her, said Graham Reeds, prosecuting.

Griffiths then punched a male nurse on the nose and it took four security staff and another man to restrain him.

He still smelled strongly of alcohol when police arrived at 2am, the court heard.

Paul Cleasby, defending, said Griffiths of Saltersgill Close, Middlesbrough needed help.

The judge told Griffiths: "If you don't sort yourself out and you breach your probation order, you will come back before me and I'll put you inside for nine months.