A MAN marked the New Year with a visit to a cemetery and then acted aggressively when he injured himself in a drunken stupor.

Anthony Johnstone was found intoxicated in McAllister Road, Alexandria, on January 1 this year, having fallen and struck his head on the ground.

Passers-by phoned for an ambulance and one was nearby, attending immediately. Johnstone stood up but as the ambulance arrived, he again fell and again struck his head.

Paramedics tried to treat a cut to his head but he became violence and lashed out, prompting a call to police for assistance.

When officers arrived they helped get Johnstone to his feet to get to the ambulance but his aggression continued and police had to journey with the ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital.

But Johnstone - formerly of North Cairntow, Edinburgh, and now of Livingstone Terrace, Irvine - continued to be aggressive. He eventually calmed down enough for treatment and a doctor recommended he be admitted to hospital for observations. He discharged himself later that day.

Defence solicitor Scott Adair explained Johnstone had been visiting a cemetery where family members are buried and had taken alcohol.

He said: "His position is he felt fine and didn't want to go to hospital. He recognises his behaviour. He regrets being involved in that kind of behaviour."

Johnstone was said to have completed another community payback order's unpaid work requirement early, using his skills as a gardener and landscaper.

Sheriff Simon Pender said: "Ambulance crews deserve protection of the court from this kind of behaviour."

Johnstone will be under supervision for 12 months and have to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in that time.